MWC 2020 Cancellation Ends Days of Speculation, Concern Over Coronavirus
As the list of marquee exhibitors and participants bowing out of MWC 2020 continued to pile up from coronavirus fears, GSMA pulled the plug Wednesday on the mobile industry’s spring launch event in Barcelona (see 2002120041). The show was to have opened Feb. 24 for a four-day run.
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“With due regard to the safe and healthy environment in Barcelona and the host country today, the GSMA has canceled 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,” said John Hoffman, GSMA CEO. The organization didn't respond to our questions.
Earlier Wednesday, cancellations by AT&T, Cisco, Facebook and Nokia added to a swelling roster of exhibitors pulling out of the show. Last week, LG, Ericsson, Sony, Nvidia led a list of companies choosing precaution over commerce and scrapping MWC plans.
The World Health Organization reported 45,171 coronavirus cases globally Wednesday, with 44,730 in China. The death toll in China from the virus stood at 1,114, with one outside of China, in 24 countries, it said. The number of newly confirmed cases reported from China has slowed over the past week, but WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Tuesday “that must be interpreted with extreme caution. This outbreak could still go in any direction.”
MWC's shutdown ends days of confusion and speculation about exhibitors’ attendance and scheduled events. China-based ZTE refuted reports last week that it wouldn't attend (see 2002070049). The company said it would ensure all employees from mainland China had no symptoms two weeks before departure and arrival and that employees were required to undergo two weeks of “self-isolation” to ensure health and safety of employees. Its senior executives participating in high-level meetings in Barcelona were to be isolated in Europe for two weeks before the conference and all exhibit equipment was to be disinfected daily.
Pepcom and ShowStoppers had exhibitor events planned for the conference. ShowStoppers partner Steve Leon had no comment Wednesday. U.S. wireless associations including CTIA didn't comment.
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," Hoffman said.