BREAKING NEWS
Savant Systems announced today that it has decided to pull out of the CEDIA Expo, scheduled for the beginning of September in Indianapolis, due to concerns surrounding health and safety. As the COVID “Delta” variant continues to fuel a new wave of infections around the country, many potential attendees are likely making the same calculation.
See more on Savant’s decision to pull out of CEDIA Expo…
With a large 4,200 sq.ft. booth, Savant was one of the largest exhibitors at the Expo. It is unclear if any other exhibitors are making such a consideration. However, in view of the deteriorating situation as the Delta variant continues to race around the country, it certainly would not surprise me if more exhibitors choose to make the same decision.
As an alternative, Savant will offer a virtual event in place of the live, in-person Expo. More details will follow on this virtual version in the near future.
The announcement from the company was made by CEO Robert Madonna who in a relatively brief statement noted: “This year’s show is slated to be the biggest ever for Savant, including new products and innovations from GE Lighting, a Savant company and Savant Power, all exhibiting virtually together for the first time…”
Madonna closed the statement telling their integration partners that “…we look forward to meeting you assuming safer conditions early next year as Savant prepares smaller, targeted events for 2022 in Q1.”
There have been many rumors about this year’s CEDIA Expo circulating around the industry that registrations for the event are extremely low, which if true would indicate that attendees are equally concerned about their safety. And of course, exhibitors would be very unhappy if they braved the resurging pandemic to hold an event that very few people attended.
I will continue to monitor the evolving situation as many other exhibitors are likely facing a decision point themselves. With only about 3 1/2 weeks to go, most would need to decide now if they want to pull the plug.
Learn more about Savant by visiting: savant.com.
The US was given the opportunity to avoid this situation thanks to the various COVID vaccines we have available. Unfortunately, too many people “did their own research” and opted out. Now we all have the pleasure of experiencing an avoidable extension of the pandemic and its consequences.
Following the science is a smart move on Savant’s part.
Thank you Bob Madonna and the Savant team. This is the rational and ethical choice.