Ag Trade Show Organizers: All Eyes on July

Since the COVID-19 pandemic first became a serious health concern back in mid-March 2020, in-person trade shows across multiple industries have been postponed or moved to an online only format. When 2021 began, however, coronavirus vaccinations were beginning to roll out across the country. This gave many in-person trade show organizers hope that not too many months into 2021, in-person events could once again resume. In fact, when the organizers of the annual National Farm Machinery Show decided to move their event from its original mid-February timing, they backed it up only a few weeks to the end of March 2021 instead.

“We know how important this show is to the global agricultural community and with vaccines on the horizon, moving the National Farm Machinery Show allows more time to deliver a safe event,” said President and CEO of Kentucky Venues David S. Beck in a press release announcing the move. “Our new registration process will allow people to reserve for specific days while maintaining a safe attendance cap during all show hours.”

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But with vaccine rollouts hitting some distribution hiccups since this time, organizers have now decided to postpone the National Farm Machinery Show entirely for 2021, resuming in February 2022 instead.

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“The health and safety of our guests, exhibitors, and co-workers is our highest priority and unfortunately the best way to keep them safe is to postpone the show,” said Beck in an updated press release. “Postponing the National Farm Machinery Show and Championship Tractor Pull was not made lightly, but in consultation with exhibitors, pullers, sponsors, and attendees who are a valuable part of our decision-making process.”

With this most recent cancellation, when might in-person trade shows return for agriculture? Recently, Dr. Anthony Fauci told reporters he expected much of the country to have COVID-19 vaccinations “by the end of summer.” So, what in-person events are currently scheduled to take place then?

Right now, there are at least three on the calendar: the 2021 Southwestern Fertilizer Conference and 2021 TechHub Live show (both slated for mid-July) and the Midwest AG Industries Exposition (MAGIE) show, scheduled for the end of August. I’m certain all three of these shows’ organizers are watching the COVID-19 situation closely and will make decisions accordingly based upon where the country stands come this summer regarding vaccinations.

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