CP+ 2021, one of the biggest camera and imaging events on the global calendar, will be going online-only for its February supershow, its organizer has announced.
The Camera & Imaging Products Association (CIPA) had previously pivoted its imaging extravaganza to a hybrid show, running part online and part physically at its traditional home of Yokohama, Japan. Following rising cases of COVID-19, however, CP+ 2021 will now take place entirely virtually from 25-28 February 2021.
"In view of the fact that the number of COVID-19 infection cases has recently been soaring once again, we have decided to cancel the on-site organization of the event at Pacifico Yokohama and hold only CP+2021 Online," stated CIPA.
This year's show, CP+ 2020, was cancelled outright (on Valentine's Day, no less) at the start of the pandemic, prompted in part by a cruise ship full of 2,500 passengers being quarantined in Yokohama harbor – exactly where the CP+ venue is situated.
It is the latest in a string of adjustments that the imaging events industry has had to make in order to accommodate the 'new normal'. CES 2021, which is traditionally held in Las Vegas, will likewise be an exclusively online event when it takes place from 11-14 January.
The UK's leading photography and video supershow, The Photography Show, will also be hosting a Virtual Festival on 6 and 7 March 2021, following a highly successful online debut this year.
The full statement from CIPA follows:
"Announcement about the online-only organization of CP+2021
The Camera & Imaging Products Association (CIPA) (president: Masaya Maeda; address: MA Shibaura Bldg., 3-8-10 Shibaura, Minato-ku, Tokyo Japan) had been preparing to host CP+2021 in a new form by holding it on-site at PACIFICO Yokohama and also online as an international world premiere show for camera & photo imaging to introduce the latest products and technologies as well as to communicate the future of the industry and the fun and growing popularity of photo imaging culture.
However, in view of the fact that the number of COVID-19 infection cases has recently been soaring once again, we have decided to cancel the on-site organization of the event at PACIFICO Yokohama and hold only CP+2021 ONLINE.
As you know, many events have recently been successfully held in an online format, and we will ensure that CP+2021 ONLINE can be participated in by the maximum number of exhibitors. We will thus hold the international camera & photo imaging show online to introduce the camera & photo imaging industries and photo imaging culture from Japan to the world. We hope for your continued support for the event."
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