How Scientific and Industry Exhibitions Adapt to COVID-19 ? 

Nanotechnology, Evaporation Materials, Thin films and others Exhibitions: How do the technology industry fairs adapt to COVID-19 ? 

As the tally of events cancellations develop because due to the COVID-19 crisis, organizations are being tested to respond rapidly to guarantee business continuity. Photon Export specialist  in coating services, Optics and Thin films planned to attend like every year to several exhibitions, conferences or congress in order to build a relationship with our customers, scientific researchers and collaborators. Among all the up and coming presentations who were assumed to require put physically between June and September 2020, 70 % of them changed their modalities.

1. Companies that choose to cancel or postpone 

 
Such as the 35^th European Conference on Surface Science (planned on the 23^th August 2020) which provides an opportunity for scientists to meet and discuss the latest advances in the physics and chemistry of surfaces.The conference is rescheduled to the next summer most likely on 30^th August 2021 at the university of Luxembourg.

8% of Exhibitions and fairs after march 2020 were canceled due to COVID-19, in the areas of: Advanced materials, Microelectronics, Nanotechnology, Ophthalmology lenses,Optics & Photonics, Solar, Technical glass, Thins Films, Vacuum. But 13% went on-line mostly as webinars.

See below the table summarizing canceled, postpone or gone to virtual exhibitions this year due to COVID impact

2. And those that try to innovate 

However, most companies see these new restrictions as an opportunity to innovate in their way to keep audiences engaged.

We, at PhotonExport, see an interest in web conferences even though not all events can be entirely digital like the exhibitions which require a physical setting.

• The 62 Electronic materials conference supposed to take place on 24^th June 2020 is going virtual. We can expect live streaming sessions on Zoom, and the possibility to connect virtually.
• The 21^th World Congress on Materials Science and Engineering scheduled on 22^th  June 2020 goes virtual too. The main topic is  “Covid 19 Effect on Innovative methodology,Materials Science & Engineering”.
• SPIE Optical engineering application turns itself into a free online event on 24^th August 2020.The digital forum will include live plenary presentations and technical talks about the latest developments in optical design, alignment, testing, and photonic devices. 
• The ESTC 2020 uploaded their new modalities, the meeting planned on 15th September 2020 is also 100% virtual.
• In regards to SEMICON west it  is expected on 20th July, 2020. Their digital platform promises to be the most innovative which gathers microelectronics professionals. Will offer an exploration of virtual exhibit booths, technical sessions or technology visits. Is this a first test for an adaptation to virtual reality?

How technology industry fairs adapt to COVID-19 ?  Finally, the technology industry fairs react differently to the new restrictions due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Most are trying to innovate in their way to keep their community in touch. The online conference seems to be the best option with regard to all the advantages. Such as cost savings, an eco- responsible approach or the exclusivity it gives. However, does an online event can supersede a physical one? At PhotonExport we are  open with the idea to meet our customers in an innovative way.  Physical meetings occupy an important place in our development. Despite all the obvious advantages that webinars give, they don’t for sure, offer the same quality than a real meet with our collaborators.

Most important Exhibitions & Congress in Advanced materials, Microelectronics, Nanotechnology, Ophthalmology lenses,Optics & Photonics, Solar, Technical glass, Thins Films for 2020 2021