PPDS has publicly confirmed that it will not be participating at ISE in Barcelona, citing the safety and wellbeing of staff, partners and customers amidst ongoing global health concerns.
PPDS general manager, Chris Colpaert, has issued this statement: “The health, safety and wellbeing of our staff, our customers and our partners is of paramount importance. It has been an incredibly difficult year for everyone, with many of us being placed under strong restrictions, limiting our ability to travel freely and go about their normal way of life,” he said.
“While some people, if permitted, will be comfortable in attending an event, there are clearly many who, understandably, are not. We as a company and as individuals fully respect that. We also understand there is a great deal of uncertainty, with many unsure if they should book flights or hotels, based on their own fears or indeed uncertainty if the physical event will indeed take place. As at ISE 2020, we supported our teams in their decisions to participate or not, and we are absolutely doing the same again for 2021. We will not be taking any risks and our final decision, if indeed it’s our to make, will be based on that, rather than financially.”
The company will instead continue its virtual events offering through its ‘PPDS Next’ series, the first iteration of which will take place 3-4 March and will include keynotes from Colpaert and the company’s commercial vice president EMEA, Franck Racapé, who will provide product updates, insights, and news about the year ahead. The company said this will be followed by summer, autumn and winter 2021 events.
Colpaert concluded, “Our final decision on our participation, will be dictated by our teams and partners – but to take away some of that uncertainty, we felt it was important to ensure communications with the AV industry, by creating a special two-day virtual event, which they can enjoy from a place they feel most safe and comfortable. We look forward to seeing you there.”
