Op-Ed: Gus' Predictions - COVID-19 Long Term Impact

Predictions: Trade Shows Cut in Half - Masks Become Go-To Strategy & Mandatory in Some Situations - Remote Work Becomes Position Specific & Individual Benefit

Long Term: Trade Shows will be cut in half - 50% reduction. With 2022 being the year they mount a come back only to be smacked down by low attendance and more Hybrid Virtual Shows, starting to get their footing with big technology and experience improvements. Bottom line though is the trade show industry will never reach the levels they once were and that poses a host of economic problems for cities, convention centers, the hospitality industry, restaurants, and literally tens of thousands of jobs.

Certainly the industry associations' trade shows will end up being the main stays but they will consolidate as have most industries. But the smaller, independent shows will have to deliver such relevance at reduced prices and with such stringent safety protocols - that it may prove to be almost impossible while actually increasing quality and guaranteeing it up front to drive sponsors.

Masks, which has helped wipe out the flu this season, will continue to be used, relied on, and in some cases mandated almost to the current levels. With the ill and sick asked to wear them in public, the public asked to wear them during seasonal outbreaks, planes requiring them from now on (there's already talk in those circles by the way), and Federal employees, the military, law enforcement, hospitals and doctor offices required to wear them in certain situations. Bottom line is masks have become part of our culture and will remain so for the benefit of society.

However, 50% won't wear them.

Remote work has its advocates and its adversaries. Bottom line is the majority will return to the re-configured offices. Say good-bye to those open bullpens sitting on top of people but looking really cool in the process. Just think of germs flying around in the air and every cough - sneeze - runny nose creating these invisible clouds we all have to walk through. Oh well that didn't last long.

But the remote work productivity has not met expectations in most cases. With smaller subset of specific positions fairing well, while the majority will probably be returning to the offices.

Just my opinion after spending hours and hours reading and screening the hundreds of studies the service providers produce. As there's no shortage of those. Thanks for reading and while I make these predictions, I don't endorse any of them. - Gus Downing