Coronavirus claims two trade show victims: MWC and CP+

Two of the largest first-quarter tech shows of the year – Mobile World Congress (MWC) Barcelona and CP+ – have canceled due to the coronavirus outbreak in China. As early as Monday, MWC organizer GSM was still planning to hold the event Feb 24 – 27, 2020, despite high-profile departures from Sony, Amazon, and others, according to Billboard. By Wednesday, however, GSM announced the following:

12 February 2020, Barcelona: Since the first edition of Mobile World Congress in Barcelona in 2006, the GSMA has convened the industry, governments, ministers, policymakers, operators and industry leaders across the broader ecosystem.

With due regard to the safe and healthy environment in Barcelona and the host country today, the GSMA has cancelled MWC Barcelona 2020 because the global concern regarding the coronavirus outbreak, travel concern and other circumstances, make it impossible for the GSMA to hold the event.

The Host City Parties respect and understand this decision.

The GSMA and the Host City Parties will continue to be working in unison and supporting each other for MWC Barcelona 2021 and future editions.

Closer to home for the photo industry, CP+, the annual trade and consumer photo fair organized by the Camera and Imaging Products Association of Japan (CIPA) announced the cancellation of its event, scheduled Feb 27 – Mar 1, 2020, in Yokohoma. Since there are currently no effective treatment options for the viral disease, the press release stated the organizers don’t want to risks the health of the 70,000 visitors and exhibitors.