PACK EXPO, SEMA, AAPEX and FABTECH Cancel Fall Shows in Chicago and Las Vegas

August 7, 2020

Due to governmental prohibitions and restrictions on gatherings, businesses and travel, along with the mounting uncertainty that safe and productive events during a pandemic are even possible, four large trade shows – PACK EXPO, SEMA, AAPEX and FABTECH – will not take place as planned this fall. Two of the events have announced plans to launch digital replacements. Here are the details. 

PACK EXPO

On Aug. 5, PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies announced it will cancel the in-person PACK EXPO and Healthcare Packaging EXPO, annual trade shows and conferences for the consumer and pharma packaging industries, respectively. Set for Nov. 8-11 at Chicago’s McCormick Place, the collocated events were expected to attract approximately 45,000 packing industry professionals.

This is the first time PACK EXPO has been cancelled in its more than 60-year history, according to PMMI officials. In its place, PMMI Media Group will launch the virtual PACK EXPO Connects 2020 from Nov. 9-13, which will feature live chats, live product demos, equipment and educational opportunities. 

“For over six decades, PACK EXPO has been here to serve and connect the industry, and while the pandemic makes it impossible to meet in person this year, connecting the industry is still our top priority,” said Jim Pittas, president and CEO of PMMI. “PMMI Media Group is putting all of the power of the PACK EXPO brand into fostering connections between consumer-packaged goods companies and suppliers by driving the entire industry to PACK EXPO Connects.”

Much like the live event, PACK EXPO Connects will facilitate exhibitor and attendee interaction, present the latest trends technology and solutions in-action and offer premium, expert-led educational sessions and special networking events.

The in-person PACK EXPO and Healthcare Packaging EXPO will return Sept. 27-29, 2021, at Las Vegas Convention Center.

SEMA Show

Despite tenacious attempts to move forward with its massive automotive event as planned, the Specialty Equipment Market Association changed course and cancelled the SEMA Show, an unprecedented move in the show’s more than 50-year history. Originally set for Nov. 3-6 at Las Vegas Convention Center, the annual event for the automotive specialty equipment industry was expected to attract around 160,000 manufacturers and buyers.

Expressing concerns that event facilities and services will be unavailable by show time, mounting uncertainty rendered continuing with the event inadvisable, according to SEMA officials.

“The SEMA Show is committed to furthering businesses in the automotive specialty equipment market, and to providing manufacturers and buyers with the best opportunity to connect, promote new products and discover new trends,” said Chris Kersting, SEMA president and CEO. “While we are disappointed that circumstances prevent us from hosting the show in November, we look forward to getting everyone together in 2021 for another outstanding event.”

Meanwhile, the association is considering a possible virtual trade show with related live elements and will be working with industry members to determine interest levels on specific alternatives, according to SEMA officials. Meanwhile, full refunds for exhibitor booth deposits and attendee registration fees will be issued.

The SEMA Show will return to LVCC Nov. 2-5, 2021. 

AAPEX

As the annual event for the automotive aftermarket industry that takes place simultaneously with SEMA in Las Vegas, AAPEX was scheduled to move forward Nov. 3-5 at Sands Expo and Caesars Forum Conference Center. Although organizers had been holding out hope for an in-person event, AAPEX 2020 will move to a virtual format with many of the show’s same elements presented digitally, according to an official decision announced on Aug. 5 by show officials.

According to AAPEX officials in a statement, “Given the State of Nevada’s recently announced long-term mitigation strategy for the COVID-19 pandemic, which has indefinitely prohibited events with more than 50 participants, and the severe limitations on international and domestic travel imposed in connection with the pandemic, unfortunately, the traditional in-person event cannot proceed.” 

AAPEX 2021 will return to Sands Expo Nov. 2-4, 2021.

FABTECH

After extensive efforts to carry out the event as originally scheduled, FABTECH 2020 has been cancelled. The annual trade show for the metal forming, fabricating, welding and finishing industry was set to run Nov. 18-20 at Las Vegas Convention Center.

“We explored every option to find a way to produce this event in 2020,” explained Sandra Bouckley, executive director and CEO of manufacturing association SME, a FABTECH event partner. “Unfortunately, COVID-19 has created an environment that makes it impossible to hold the event. Our top concern is always the safety of our exhibitors, attendees, speakers, sponsors and employees, along with supplier partners and venue staff. While we didn’t want to have to make this decision, we have found that we have no choice.”

While FABTECH officials are are evaluating other options to serve the industry, including “actively exploring enhancements to our digital experience that extend the knowledge-sharing and community building that make FABTECH unique in our industry,” according to an official statement, no plans for a virtual replacement have been announced yet. 

In 2021, FABTECH will return as a face-to-face event with FABTECH Mexico, set for May 4-6 in the city of Monterrey in Nuevo León and FABTECH Chicago, planned for Sept. 13-16 at McCormick Place. 

 

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Partner Voices
Less than six months ago, Lisa Messina joined the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) as the first-ever chief sales officer after leading the sales team at Caesars Entertainment. A 12-year Las Vegas resident, Messina is a graduate of Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration and serves on MPI International’s board of directors. TSNN had a chance to catch up with this dynamic leader and talk to her about her vision for the new role, current shifts in the trade show industry, creating more diversity and equity within the organization, and advice to future female leaders. Lisa Messina, Chief Sales Officer, LVCVA With Las Vegas becoming The Greatest Arena on EarthTM, what are some of the things you’re most excited about in your role? Our team was at The Big Game’s handoff ceremony earlier this month, and I couldn’t help but think, “We’re going to crush it next year!”  These high-profile events and venues not only drive excitement, but also provide unmatched opportunities for event planners. Allegiant Stadium hosts events from 10 to 65,000 people and offers on-field experiences. Formula 1 Grand Prix will take place in Las Vegas in November, after the year-one F1 race, the four-story paddock building will be available for buyouts and will also offer daily ride-along experiences that will be available for groups. And, of course, the MSG Sphere officially announced that it will open in September, ahead of schedule, with a U2 residency. It’s going to be the most technologically advanced venue as far as lighting, sound, feel, and even scent, and it will be available for buyouts and next-level sponsorships inside and outside. There’s no ceiling to what you can do when you’re doing events in Las Vegas.  Allegiant Stadium As the trade show and convention business returns to the pre-pandemic levels, what shifts are you noticing and how do you think they will impact the industry going forward? Our trade show organizers are very focused on driving customer experience. Most of our organizers are reporting stronger exhibitor numbers and increased numbers of new exhibitors, with trade shows proving to be almost or above 2019 levels. Now our organizers are really doubling down on driving attendance and focusing on the data to provide that individualized, customized experience to help attendees meet their goals and get the best value. Some companies continue to be cautiously optimistic with their organizational spend when it comes to sending attendees, but I think it will continue to improve. As the U.S. Travel Association makes more progress on the U.S. visa situation, we also expect a growing influx of international attendees. What are some innovative ways the LVCVA helps trade show and convention organizers deliver the most value for their events? We focus on customer experience in the same way that trade show organizers are thinking about it. We got rave reviews with the West Hall Expansion of the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC), so over the next two years, we will be renovating the North and the Central halls, which will include not just the same look and feel, but also the digital experiences that can be leveraged for branding and sponsorship opportunities.  Vegas Loop, the underground transportation system designed by The Boring Company, is also a way we have enhanced the customer experience. Vegas Loop at the LVCC has transported more than 900,000 convention attendees across the campus since its 2021 launch. Last summer, Resorts World and The Boring Company opened the first resort stop at the Resorts World Las Vegas , with plans to expand throughout the resort corridor, including downtown Las Vegas, Allegiant Stadium and Harry Reid International Airport. The LVCVA also purchased the Las Vegas Monorail in 2020, the 3.9-mile-long elevated transportation system that connects eight resorts directly to the convention center campus. This is the only rail system in the world that integrates fares directly into show badges and registration. For trade show organizers, these transportation options mean saving time, money and effort when it comes to moving groups from the hotels to LVCC and around the city. Also, the more we can focus on building the infrastructure around the convention center, the more it supports the customer experience and ultimately supports our trade show organizers. Scheduled to debut in Q4, Fontainebleau Las Vegas will offer 3,700 hotel rooms and 550,000 square feet of meeting and convention space next to LVCC.  What are some of the plans for advancing DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) within your organization? We’re currently partnering with instead of working with a leading consulting firm, to lay the foundation and create a solid DEI plan and be the leader when it comes to DEI initiatives. The heart of that journey with the consulting firm is also talking to our customers about their strategic approaches to DEI and driving innovation in this space.  What are your favorite ways to recharge? My husband and I have an RV and we’re outdoorsy people. So, while we have over 150,000 world-class hotel rooms and renowned restaurants right outside our doorstep, one of my favorite things to do is get out to Red Rock Canyon, the Valley of Fire, and Lake Mead. Five of the top national parks are within a three-hour drive from Las Vegas, so there’s a lot you can do. We love balancing the energy of Las Vegas with nature, and we’re noticing that a lot of attendees add activities off the Strip when they come here.  Valley of Fire What advice would you give to women following leadership paths in destination marketing? I think it’s about being laser-focused on what you want to accomplish; building a team around you that lifts you and helps you achieve your goals; and being humble and realizing that you do it as a group. No one gets this done alone. Thankfully, there are a lot of women in leadership in this organization, in our customers’ organizations, and in this city that we can be really proud of. We’re a formidable force that is making things happen.   This interview has been edited and condensed. This article is exclusively sponsored by the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority. For more information, visit HERE.