The COVID-19 pandemic continues to wreak havoc on global automotive trade fairs, with two new casualties announced this week.

The organisers of the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show, which takes place annually in Las Vegas, had delayed a decision on this year’s event in the hope that the situation may ease and allow it to take place. However, with Coronavirus cases still very high in the US, SEMA has now officially announced that the event, due to take place from November 3rd-6th 2020, is now cancelled, with the next event scheduled for November 2021. The organisers have also said they are investigating the possibility of some form of virtual tradeshow with "live elements" before the 2021 return. SEMA attracted some 160,000 visitors last year from all over the world and has been popular with some Irish travellers as a chance to mix business with pleasure.

Meanwhile it has also been announced that Automechanika Dubai will now not take place this year. The event, which has become a popular destination for many European visitors, was originally scheduled for June and later moved to October. However, organisers, Messe Frankfurt Middle East, have now concluded that holding the UAE show in the current environment is not feasible. It will now be held from June 7th-9th 2021 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

Mahmut Gazi Bilikozen, Automechanika Dubai’s show director said, “We’re responding to our stakeholders’ best interests, and we’re committed to delivering another successful exhibition next year. All existing exhibitors’ contracts are still valid and can be transferred to 2021.”

Automechanika Dubai will be holding a series of webinars on aftermarket trends and opportunities over the coming months.