International Telecoms Week 2020

International Telecoms Week (ITW) is the largest annual meeting for the global wholesale telecommunications industry, which brings together carriers, data centres, software, hardware, internet application, and investment communities. Amidst the disruption caused by COVID-19, ITW 2020 was shifted online to provide a sustained opportunity for the ICT community to meet, network and do business.

Annually, ITW brings together carriers and service providers from more than 140 countries for bilateral trading and networking. Its latest edition was due to be held in Atlanta, Georgia. However, Covid-19 and the ensuing travel and social distancing restrictions presented a major roadblock in the physical execution of the event. The event organisers felt that cancelling the premier event was not the right solution as it had become more important than ever to stay connected, and discuss the challenges and opportunities of the ever-evolving wholesale telecom industry.

They decided that the event would be transitioned into a fully online event. However, they faced the challenge of ensuring the event attendees get their favourite ITW features: networking with customers, lead generation, updates on latest market insights and product launches. Another big challenge was how to provide the sponsors and exhibitors with similar branding opportunities and visibility like physical events.

With the goal of enabling the telecom community to stay connected and do business safely the virtual event turned out to be a success; offering networking, branding opportunities, unlimited meeting room facilities, virtual exhibition, and numerous engaging online sessions.