ECOC commits to physical 2021 event

The management committee behind industry conference and exhibition, ECOC has announced its commitment to making the 2021 event a physical one.

If all goes according to plan, it would be one of the first physical events for the industry since the pandemic began. Last year’s conference and exhibition, which was due to have taken place in Brussels during September was postponed until December and then brought online due to ongoing restrictions and safety concerns caused by the pandemic.

As things stand, ECOC 2021 will take place from 12-15 September in Bordeaux, France. In a statement, the organisers said: ‘On April 29, President Emmanuel Macron acknowledged that the outlook of the epidemic was getting better, and expressed his confidence that the goal of having half of the French population vaccinated before the Summer would be met. He disclosed a four-step plan to alleviate COVID-related constraints over the next two months. In particular, cafés and restaurants will reopen with in-door spaces on June 9th, at a time where foreign travellers will be allowed to enter France again. On June 30, the limits on the number of people at shows and fairs will be lifted, as long as participants carry a health pass.’

The statement additionally acknowledged that there are still four months to go, although organisers are positive that it is ‘enough time for further good news.’ They also stated that they have been working hard to anticipate the adaptation of ECOC in compliance with the most secure health rules, including social distancing and protective measures in the rooms of the congress centre, in the exhibit and in the food courts.’

It also reassured authors submitting papers that they will be given the possibility to present their work virtually, even if they are blocked by the crisis in their home countries. 

The announcement follows the news last month that FTTH Council Europe, organisers of the FTTH Conference, took the decision to run their event - which now takes place on 15 and 16 September - virtually for 2021.