When do you believe the first REAL Post-COVID conference will actually take place?

[MichaelCorfman]

Yesterday big fish started the following thread: When is the next REAL conference?

In response it was pointed out that SiGMA in Malta is scheduled in February 2021 (the 16th to the 18th) and ICE London and iGB Affiliate London (June 29th to July 2nd). However, some posts in the forum questioned whether planned conferences would go ahead as scheduled. Here are some responses:

A crowded indoor event ... with people from all over the world and without any restrictions for people traveling from other countries? I don't see it happening.

... it is just stupid to still plan a conference that early.

For this week's poll, I ask when you think the first major conference will actually take place. It could be February if SiGMA does indeed take place then. Or it could be June or July if ICE and iGB Affiliate London actually take place then. But to be successful, both of those events are based on many attendees travelling internationally to attend. So, depending on the future of the pandemic and the associated government travel and quarantine restrictions, the best laid plans of event organizers could be disrupted.

I'm not asking if you would choose to attend such a first conference, but rather your best guess about when such an event will actually first actually be held by a conference organizer.

Michael

[TheGooner]

I don't expect high profile sporting events like the Tokyo Olympics, or Euro2021 in July and August to have mass travelling fans.
So my guess for international business conferences is probably 2022.

[newcustomeroffer]

Assuming northern hemisphere, I can't see much happening in any setting until the summer arrives next year and, as we saw this year, rules are relaxed a little as people spend more time outside. However I expect that will be baby steps at first and with a vaccine of some description hopefully rolling out by then, perhaps we'll start to see numbers increasing for important stuff like weddings, funerals etc first.

From there, perhaps limited numbers will be allowed back into sporting events - maybe even get to see a live game of football/cricket next summer if we're very lucky, maybe season ticket holders allowed into matches on a rota basis - but milling around freely at a packed conference still feels further off to me.

I've voted for Q2 2022, summer warmth and hopefully a globally rolled-out (and effective) vaccine by then. Now whether we'll still be wearing masks or not remains to be seen...

[Christiaan]

Probably in 2022. Maybe if vaccines start to be available in Q2 of 2021, people will be able to start with events etc again in 2021 but real conferences with many international people I think we will have to wait till 2022.

[Cash Bonus]

I voted for the 2nd quarter of 2022. The trouble with the coronavirus is that even when it is under control and there are no new cases for a while, there's no guarantee that there won't be a resurgence of it and the whole vicious cycle starts all over again. It's critical that a vaccine is found as soon as possible. I can't see any other real way around beating this disastrous virus.

[drifter8]

End of 2022 definitely.

We all have seen what happened , when people were able and open to travel the world.

Once they came back to their home countries, bam the second wave exploaded.

Even the beginning of 2023 is realistic picture.

[Nenad]

I truly believe it will be the end of 2022, or maybe even later. Somehow I think they want us inside our homes...

[Pokerface]

I hate to say it but thinking more Q1/Q2 2022. With the current pandemic trends heading into winter and how countries are struggling 2021 is looking more difficult. Even if a conference could be scheduled and potential for much smaller attendance would these conferences be so viable.

[Triple7]

That depends of course. It's difficult to predict what will be with Covid-19.

It seems there are seasonal influences, so spring and summer would be more ok than autumn and winter. Indoor events during autumn or winter, I don't see it happening.

I guess Sigma better goes for an outdoor event somewhere in May or June. With all travel restrictions, that's enough challenge.

[ocreditor]

I hope it'll be as soon as possible, voted Q4 of 2021 but this is like shooting in the dark..

[PromoteCasino]

In all reality I cannot see a safe option in the near future. With the way things are developing at an alarming rate again as we hit the flu season, the after affects will surely wipe out the possibility of one in 2021.

I would say the earliest would be summer of 2022, but I can also see a city/country being irresponsible and hosting one claiming it is safe before then.