The Internationale Funkausstellung or IFA is the biggest consumer electronics trade show in Europe. Samsung has been a regular fixture at the event for many years. It even used to launch new Galaxy Note models there several years ago. While it no longer does that, Samsung does have a big presence there every year.
That's not going to be the case in 2020, though. Samsung has reportedly decided that it's going to skip IFA 2020. The ongoing pandemic is the reason why the company has decided not to attend Europe's biggest electronics trade show.
Samsung is avoiding large events for now
Local media reports from South Korea say that Samsung has confirmed it's not going to attend IFA 2020 which takes place September 4-9 in Berlin, Germany. The pandemic has been cited as the reason for not attending a show where Samsung has been a regular exhibitor since 1991.
Samsung was present at IFA 2019. It unveiled the Galaxy A90 5G there, it was Samsung's first non-flagship phone with 5G support. The company also showcased many home appliances and consumer electronics products at the show.
Limiting employee travel to mission-critical journeys is one of the ways Samsung has been fighting against the pandemic. The risk of sending hundreds of its executives to Germany might far outweigh the potential reward of attending the trade show.
It seems that Samsung will stay away from large events for the time being. The company is already planning a virtual Unpacked event on August 5 to unveil the Galaxy Note 20 and Galaxy Fold 2. If there were any devices that warranted a full-scale launch event, it's these, but the pandemic has forced Samsung to move the event online.
The annual Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas is another major event that Samsung regularly attends. CES 2021 will be held in person but it remains to be seen if Samsung will attend.
