Design World

  • Home
  • Technologies
    • 3D CAD
    • Electronics • electrical
    • Fastening & Joining
    • Factory automation
    • Linear Motion
    • Motion Control
    • Test & Measurement
    • Sensors
    • Fluid power
  • Learn
    • Ebooks / Tech Tips
    • Engineering Week
    • Future of Design Engineering
    • MC² Motion Control Classrooms
    • Podcasts
    • Videos
    • Webinars
  • LEAP AWARDS
  • Leadership
    • 2022 Voting
    • 2021 Winners
  • Design Guide Library
  • Resources
    • 3D Cad Models
      • PARTsolutions
      • TraceParts
    • Digital Issues
      • Design World
      • EE World
    • Women in Engineering
  • Supplier Listings

November 2020 Issue: Ultrasonic bearings help smooth out flat glass applications

By Editor Design World | November 6, 2020

Share

What will events look like in 2021?

We’ve all heard, “necessity is the mother of invention.” The pandemic has certainly brought out some creative ideas regarding trade shows. With all the digital versions of nearly everything — meetings, education, tradeshows — one wonders if these changes will be permanent?

A few months ago, I spent a morning at a trade show booth — my first time since walking the IFPE show in Las Vegas in March. But this was the new virtual trade show hall from igus, the German-based motion plastics manufacturer. I was invited to tag along as one of the company’s large customers was escorted around the booth.

Virtual tradeshows were touted as the next big thing back in the late 1990s and the publishing company I worked for then pushed a ridiculously expensive version of them. That vision involved awkward avatars moving around a virtual trade floor. And, unsurprisingly, it ended in disaster.

This, thankfully, was a more intelligent way for a manufacturer to proceed. The main screen shows a view of the company’s actual tradeshow booth, set up in its Cologne headquarters facility. You can move in any direction to different areas of the booth. Once at a technology area, click on any product that looks interesting. A video of a corporate expert appears, describing the item. Most are a few minutes in length, giving some basics of the product, including how it improves on earlier models or competitive products, and listing sample applications.

While I’m not hoping tradeshows go the way of the dinosaur, when will people get comfortable with business travel again? My guess is that the first half of 2021 will look a lot like 2020, and we’ll start seeing actual events in the second half. I’m already seeing some associations say they’ll push ahead with late Spring events. Some shows normally held in the first part of the year are already announcing new dates in late Summer or Fall of 2021.

A lot will likely depend on the availability of vaccine(s) and how effective they are. Fortunately, the longer we fight Covid-19, the more we learn about what measures can minimize our risks. And Zoom fatigue has become a thing already — imagine what it’ll be like in another six months! So, fingers crossed that our paths will cross sometime in 2021 on a show floor in Chicago or Las Vegas or Orlando. In the meantime, stay safe!

Paul J. Heney – VP, Editorial Director
[email protected]
On Twitter @wtwh_paulheney


Filed Under: DIGITAL ISSUES

 

Related Articles Read More >

May 2022 Issue: Robotic solution speeds up PPE manufacturing process
April 2022 Issue: A look at AI and advanced simulation in software
April 2022 Special Edition: Internet of Things Handbook
March 2022 Special Edition: Motion System Trends

DESIGN GUIDE LIBRARY

“motion

Enews Sign Up

Motion Control Classroom

Design World Digital Edition

cover

Browse the most current issue of Design World and back issues in an easy to use high quality format. Clip, share and download with the leading design engineering magazine today.

EDABoard the Forum for Electronics

Top global problem solving EE forum covering Microcontrollers, DSP, Networking, Analog and Digital Design, RF, Power Electronics, PCB Routing and much more

EDABoard: Forum for electronics

Sponsored Content

  • Global supply needs drive increased manufacturing footprint development
  • How to Increase Rotational Capacity for a Retaining Ring
  • Cordis high resolution electronic proportional pressure controls
  • WAGO’s custom designed interface wiring system making industrial applications easier
  • 10 Reasons to Specify Valve Manifolds
  • Case study: How a 3D-printed tool saved thousands of hours and dollars

Design World Podcasts

May 17, 2022
Another view on additive and the aerospace industry
See More >
Engineering Exchange

The Engineering Exchange is a global educational networking community for engineers.

Connect, share, and learn today »

Design World
  • Advertising
  • About us
  • Contact
  • Manage your Design World Subscription
  • Subscribe
  • Design World Digital Network
  • Engineering White Papers
  • LEAP AWARDS

Copyright © 2022 WTWH Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media
Privacy Policy | Advertising | About Us

Search Design World

  • Home
  • Technologies
    • 3D CAD
    • Electronics • electrical
    • Fastening & Joining
    • Factory automation
    • Linear Motion
    • Motion Control
    • Test & Measurement
    • Sensors
    • Fluid power
  • Learn
    • Ebooks / Tech Tips
    • Engineering Week
    • Future of Design Engineering
    • MC² Motion Control Classrooms
    • Podcasts
    • Videos
    • Webinars
  • LEAP AWARDS
  • Leadership
    • 2022 Voting
    • 2021 Winners
  • Design Guide Library
  • Resources
    • 3D Cad Models
      • PARTsolutions
      • TraceParts
    • Digital Issues
      • Design World
      • EE World
    • Women in Engineering
  • Supplier Listings