IFA ‘Not Yet Certain’ It Will Extend CE China Discount Offer Amid Coronavirus Threat

The coronavirus outbreak “is not hampering IFA's ability to organize and/or sell exhibit space for the CE China show,” emailed spokesperson Nicole von der Ropp. The show is scheduled for Sept. 24-26 in Guangzhou, about 600 miles south of Wuhan, the outbreak’s epicenter. Though the event is more than seven months away, IFA is offering exhibitors 10 percent off if they book CE China space before March 31. IFA runs the CE China “Early-Bird” special every year, said von der Ropp. “Whether this offer will be extended, if necessary, is not yet certain.” As for any possible coronavirus impact on CTA's organizing activities for CES Asia, "our focus now is on the needs of our Chinese colleagues, customers and friends during this health emergency," emailed CTA Thursday. CES Asia is scheduled for June 10-12 in Shanghai, 500 miles east of Wuhan. LG confirmed Thursday its coronavirus-forced withdrawal from next week’s Integrated Systems Europe 2020 event in Amsterdam. “LG regrets having to make this difficult decision but the safety of its employees and customers continues to be its number one priority,” said a statement. Acting on World Health Organization recommendations, “LG management believed that the most responsible decision is to avoid participating in large public events until the situation stabilizes,” it said. LG “has informed us that they do not intend to take up their stand at this year’s ISE," but "we look forward to the many other major exhibitors taking shape with their newest technologies, offerings and announcements,” said ISE Wednesday. “As to be expected with global travel restrictions in place, we have seen some cancellations from our Chinese exhibitors. As of today, this amounts to less than 20% of those booths, and a few additional updates can be expected.”