If you’re a manufacturer or distributor in the CEDIA channel, do you want to go three years between seeing your integrator partners all in one place, showing them the latest and greatest you have for their customers? That’s just one of many important questions companies are asking themselves regarding CEDIA Expo 2021 attendance, as they weigh the decision to exhibit in light of COVID-19 Delta variant concerns.

So, should “the show go on,” as they say?

CE Pro and parent company, Emerald, which also owns the CEDIA Expo, have been monitoring the discussions both in our everyday interactions with manufacturers and industry people, as well as online in the various social channels. Today, Emerald sent out a statement to attendees assuring them the show will indeed go on Sept. 1-3 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis.

“The show is 100% going on,” Jason McGraw, Group Vice President, CEDIA Expo and KBIS, tells CE Pro.

“Contrary to rumors out there, CEDIA Expo 2021 is still happening,” McGraw says. “Even with a number of large brands choosing not to exhibit, we are proceeding with the show. Health and safety is certainly a top priority for us; in fact, Emerald is operating numerous trade shows across the country right now successfully and safely and we’ll do so at CEDIA Expo.

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“Over 150 exhibitors will still be at the show to connect with the thousands of attendees who tell us they will be there.  CEDIA Expo remains as the industry’s best forum for the industry to gather, conduct business and learn about new products, trends and applications. We look forward to welcoming all who will join us in Indy!”

CEDIA‘s interim co-CEO Giles Sutton also remains enthusiastic about CEDIA Expo.

“Our members rely on the connections forged at in-person events to strengthen partnerships, advance their crafts, and grow their businesses. We believe that, for the industry to succeed, tradeshows must happen. By taking commonsense measures like distancing in training rooms and wearing masks, we can gather safely and renew our networks,” Sutton tells CE Pro.

Here is the full Emerald statement:

While a number of brands have made the determination not to attend this year’s CEDIA Expo, we want to assure you that the show will still run as scheduled. 

We support each brand’s decision wholeheartedly, and we know there are difficult choices to be made. We also want to ensure that those who have made significant investments in time and resources in preparation for Expo will have a place to exhibit, network, and learn.

There’s no other show this year that will offer an opportunity to see and hear what’s new in the residential technology industry – and connect with your peers. While the show will undoubtedly be smaller, it also presents something unique: More time for quality, one-on-one relationship building.

The health and safety of all CEDIA Expo attendees remains our top priority. The Indiana Convention Center maintains a Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC) STARTM rating for providing a clean and healthy environment for events. The show’s health and safety plan is available here and our mask-wearing policies follow the recommendations of the CDC and local health officials. Following CDC guidelines, we strongly encourage all vaccinated attendees to wear masks and unvaccinated attendees are still required to wear masks at the show. 

We remain steadfast in our belief that there is no better place or time to invest in your professional development or the future success of your business than CEDIA Expo. The connections you make at the show, critical insights gained, and professional development opportunities available will empower you to stay ahead of the curve. 

Feel free to reach out to us at [email protected] with any questions. We look forward to seeing you at CEDIA Expo.

CE Pro and its editorial team will be at the Indiana Convention Center. We want to experience products and demos, and see everyone we miss as well. We can skip the hugs this year, but the show goes on and we still look forward to seeing many of you there.

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