Open Letter to Industry: The Return of Industry Trade Events 

Informa’s decision to forge ahead with IWCE 2021 in Las Vegas, Sept 27-30, was a bold and important step in restarting the cadence of national events where the wireless industry can gather, meet, learn, and do business. When the car has been in the garage for eighteen months, the collective engine is going to sputter a little when you fire it up. The gross attendance numbers were down, but the quality was high, and good business was done.  Informa delivered on their part, and we are grateful. 

And that gratitude extends to the attendees and exhibitors as well.

It would have been very easy (if not financially, at least from an optics standpoint), to cancel. It took fortitude on the part of Informa, IWCE’s producer, to proceed as planned. The rewards were there for all who made the effort to attend and participate.

It should be noted that other major events went forward as well, such as WIA’s Connect X in Orlando, and APCO’s August conference in San Antonio.

Attendees (for the most part) appear to be willing to navigate enhanced health screening protocols and other event management tweaks to satisfy the complex and evolving local rules and CDC guidelines. 

In many cases, enhanced A/V setups were utilized to permit speakers to be both local and remote. Some version of online participation is becoming more common. 

The message is clear: Industry wants to get back to business.

To the management of these events: We thank you for providing this essential service, and we encourage you to continue to innovate the in-person event experience.

To the exhibitors and attendees of these events: We applaud you for making the journey and navigating the new and sometimes inconvenient steps necessary to get from A to Z.

Related Article: SBC Hosts Annual Member’s Meeting and Dinner at IWCE Las Vegas

To those who chose not to attend – or for whatever reason were not able – we get it.

For those who are simply sitting on the sidelines, waiting to see how things turn out – our message is this: It was worth it to be there. Business was good. The quantity of quality contacts, conversations, and new introductions is as good as ever. And make no mistake, your customers and your competitors were there.

Safer Buildings Coalition looks forward to wrapping up the 2021 road series with presentations in Florida (FFMIA) and Illinois (NIFIA), and seminars in Southern California, Houston, Nashville, Raleigh, and New Jersey, with more seminars for 2022 to be announced soon.

SBC will also have its biggest presence ever at IWCE 2022 in Las Vegas,  March 21-24, 2022.

One more time: To all of you road warriors – we salute you. To Informa and the others who moved forward with their events – Thank You!

Sincerely,
Safer Buildings Coalition Executive Team and Board of Directors