The Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) annual trade show has been postponed to June 2021, in wake of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Initially scheduled for 2-5 February 2021, it will move back a few months with dates to be confirmed.

In lieu of the event, RISE Digital, ISE’s digital offering will feature a program of content and networking events which will run throughout the year and support the live show.

“We’ve been monitoring the conditions in Europe since the beginning of this year and have worked hard on your behalf to balance health and safety concerns with the need for commerce and F2F interaction. These two factors have had shifting weight throughout the calendar year and although we’ve felt confident and hopeful regarding delivering this show in February, we’ve come to the conclusion that the best option for all of us is to delay the show edition until June 2021,” ISE writes in a statement.

Integrated Systems Events managing director Mike Blackman says that the health and safety of all involved is the number one priority.

“Given the understandable concerns among all of our stakeholders regarding COVID-19, and the uncertainty regarding travel restrictions and country lockdowns, we have concluded it is not prudent to maintain our original schedule of an in-person February 2021 trade show,” he says.

“From our many conversations, it is clear the industry can’t wait to get back together doing business face to face and we are committed to delivering an engaging and safe in-person ISE in 2021. We feel by moving the event to June, it provides time for the industry to adapt and restore balance. We look forward to hosting the global AV community in our new home in Barcelona.”

Fira de Barcelona chairman Pau Relat adds that the venue highly values ISE’s commitment to Barcelona and the decision helps ensure the best possible outcome and edition.

“We will keep on working together to ensure that a leading event such as the ISE has a great first edition in its new home in Barcelona in 2021,” he says.

CEDIA chief executive Tabatha O’Connor adds: “We are eager to gather as a community once again at ISE 2021, the decision to postpone was made after careful and thorough consideration. We know moving the show to June will provide the time and resource needed to ensure the show is both safe to attend and can deliver on the exceptional experience that ISE is known for, fostering opportunities to learn, discover, and be inspired by the technology that is driving our industry forward.”