The German technology and consumer electronics conference, IFA Berlin has been officially cancelled for 2021, Messe Berlin and gfu Consumer & Home Electronics GmbH announced in a joint statement on Wednesday.

The organizations planned to host an live, in-person expo in September; however, they have determined that the global pandemic remains too great a risk to have trade visitors, media, and consumers gather for a show.

They also noted that various uncertainties about the global vaccination rollouts and the emergence of new COVID-19 variants, ultimately led their public health experts and stakeholders to determine that hosting IFA Berlin this year was not an ideal plan. Plans for a virtual event appear unlikely.

“Innovation needs a platform; it needs the focus of global attention. That’s why brands and manufacturers across the tech industry were very keen to come to IFA Berlin 2021. Unfortunately, the latest public health developments introduced too much risk into everybody’s planning for the event,” Chairman of the Supervisory Board of gfu Consumer & Home Electronics GmbH Kai Hillebrandt said in a statement.

“There simply are now too many uncertainties. Therefore, right now it has become near impossible for anyone to responsibly plan their participation in any trade show,” he added.

The decision to cancel IFA Berlin came after many top brands, including Samsung, Ericson, and Google, pulled out of attending the Barcelona-based Mobile World Congress conference, which takes place in June. The GSMA plans to make in-person and virtual attendance options available for attendees.  

Messe Berlin and gfu Consumer & Home Electronics GmbH also said that they remain apart of the fight against COVID-19, offering parts of the Messe Berlin exhibition area as a vaccination center and emergency hospital facility. They expect this use case will continue for longer as the pandemic continues.

The organizations have announced that IFA Berlin 2022 will take place from September 2-6 as a live, in person event.