2021 Montreal and Toronto Auto Shows to be Held Virtually
UPDATE (11/19/2020): The virtual edition of the 2021 Montreal and Toronto auto shows has been cancelled. Below is the original story.
Due to recent pandemic outcomes and the uncertainty about easing the public health measures surrounding indoor public event gatherings of more than 250 people in the coming months, the organizers of the Montreal Auto Show have decided to cancel the event set to take place at Palais des Congres early next year.
- Also: Confirmed: Los Angeles Auto Show Postponed Until May 2021
- Also: COVID-19: 2020 SEMA Show is Cancelled
Instead, there will be a special virtual edition to be held online from January 20 to 24, 2021.
At a time when the majority of public events—not just auto shows—are being cancelled or postponed, the Montreal Auto Show wanted to reinvent itself and maintain its presence in January.
"It would have been easy to make the decision to just skip a year, but we wanted to keep this tradition going in January despite the absence of the in-person event,” said Francois Boisvert, president of the 2021 Montreal Auto Show.
The virtual platform will showcase exhibitors on a 3D floor plan, allowing “visitors” to search exhibitors, new vehicle models, car manufacturers' offers, special promotions, and live chat with representatives during the five-day event. Best of all, access will be free of charge.
Same Thing in Toronto
Similarly, the Canadian International AutoShow in Toronto will go solely virtual in 2021 as a result of the ongoing concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic and continued safety measures to stem the spread of the virus.
While mass indoor gatherings remain prohibited in Canada’s largest market, the Trillium Automobile Dealers Association (TADA) has taken the decision to postpone the in-person event to February 2022 and focus on delivering an immersive world-class automotive showcase on a virtual platform instead.
“With restrictions to public gatherings in Ontario limited for the foreseeable future, our annual automotive showcase that attracts more than 330,000 visitors on average each year simply couldn’t be considered at this time,” says AutoShow General Manager Jason Campbell.
“The AutoShow has become a must-visit showcase for both new car buyers and automotive enthusiasts alike, and we’re still committed to ensuring that the hundreds of thousands who would normally visit the Show in person to learn, explore and be fascinated by the latest innovations on offer, will continue to be able to engage with this great event – just in a new, more widely accessible way.”
More details on the virtual Montreal and Toronto auto shows will be available in the coming weeks.