On September 29, 2020, the organizers of ECOC 2020 issued a notice, announcing that the exhibition will adopt a virtual format this year. The virtual version of the exhibition will be held from December 6th to 10th, 2020. The original exhibition date is from September 20th to 24th.

Earlier, the organizers of the exhibition tried to shape the event into a hybrid on-site/virtual form, especially because of travel restrictions that made it almost impossible for visitors and booth personnel from the United States to participate. This format includes a Demo Session, in which those who cannot travel to Brussels will be able to participate in the meeting by submitting a video.  However, as Europe seems to be suffering from the second wave of COVID-19, exhibition organizers have to abandon the hybrid approach and choose a pure virtual experience instead.

The notice on the ECOC website reads: “ECOC 2020 is still held in Belgium…but 100% virtualized. Unfortunately, you will miss our local flavors, but we are still working hard to provide you with the best things in ECOC, including high-level Plenary meetings, technical training, specially invited lectures, and… papers describing your own top-level research work and results. We will also do our best to provide you with a friendly platform for all participants and make them all feel like they are communicating with each other on the ground in Brussels.”

“So, join our virtual Brussels ECOC 2020. In the next few days, our website and social media will provide detailed information such as registration, so stay tuned,” the notice concluded.