On May 19, 2020, Connect (X): All Access, a free all-day virtual conference is expected to set the standard for online conferencing. Connect (X), which was shaping up to be one of the largest expositions WIA ever had was cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions throughout the country. The Miami Beach Convention Center, where the event was to be held, has been turned into a coronavirus hospital.
Connect (X), a leading 5G infrastructure annual conference in North America, originally scheduled to begin May 18, 2020 in the Miami Beach, Florida Convention Center has been cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions, and in its place, the Wireless Infrastructure Association will offer “Connect (X): All Access,” a free global virtual conference featuring the best of the in-person event, debuting on May 19.
“We are saddened beyond words by the tragic toll the coronavirus is taking on so many in our country and around the world yet are proud the wireless industry is playing such a key role in keeping America connected. We’re fighting to keep our industry connected, as well, by offering an innovative, interactive virtual alternative. We’ll hear from our industry’s top leaders on their plans for capex, deployment and safety in our quickly evolving and increasingly complex business environment,” said WiA President and CEO Jonathan Adelstein.
He said that top-tier speakers will answer pressing questions about what today’s challenges mean for 5G, and how to seize upon the enormous growth ahead for our industry.
Enthusiastic about the new venue now being offered to a world-wide audience, Adelstein informed Wireless Estimator that the virtual event will provide an even greater lineup of the industry’s most knowledgeable stakeholders and key carrier and towerco executives.
“There will be must view programming with a lineup that will have everyone tuning in to know where the industry is headed,” he said.
“As wireless continues to take an even more essential role amid the devastation to many sectors of the economy, participants will benefit from the world-class content that the industry has come to expect at Connect (X),” said Adelstein.
Connect (X): All Access will be a free virtual conference with access to many of the same visionaries and hallmark experiences of the industry’s rapidly growing in-person conference on all things connectivity.
Potentially tens of thousands more eyeballs from around the world
WIA Director of Meetings and Events Nancy Touhill said, “While disappointed that our year-long work with the city of Miami Beach will not culminate in an in-person event, I am excited about the new possibilities enabled by a virtual event. Exhibitors and sponsors can still count on attracting new and different customers to their products and services – potentially tens of thousands more “eyeballs” from our global online community. We are completely committed to delivering value to our sponsors, exhibitors, partners, and attendees, especially now, during these extraordinary times.”
WIA will announce details about speakers, format, and innovative new opportunities soon. Exhibitors, sponsors, and registrants that had already committed to the in-person event will have many options for their marketing funds. WIA said it will be in touch with its stakeholders soon