After HKTDC postponed its April fairs to July and The Inspired Home Show cancelled its 2020 edition which was to be held this weekend in Chicago, more organisations have decided to move or cancel their shows.
Derek Miller, president of IHA which organises The Inspired Home Show, released a follow-up statement after its initial announcement last week.
“In the weeks leading up to the cancellation decision, the IHA board of directors and IHA staff watched the situation closely and listened to our industry’s constituents―members, exhibitors, retailers, distributors, reps and consultants,” he explains.
“Although some wanted to continue, the overwhelming majority asked (and many demanded) that we cancel the show due to the Coronavirus threat. By 2 March, we were swept away by a tide of cancellations from both exhibitors and retailers that clearly made the most difficult decision ever made by IHA fairly easy―the show simply couldn’t continue on as it had for more than 80 years.
“Everyone here at IHA, on the board and throughout the industry was devastated by this news. The Show is so meaningful not only for the tremendous commerce activities being done, but also for the networking that is facilitated―our industry simply doesn’t come together to this degree in any other place than in Chicago each March.”
Italy is one of the countries which has been deeply impacted by the virus, and the organisers of Milan’s Salone del Mobile had no other option but to postpone the fair, which was slated for 21 to 26 April, until June.
“Following an extraordinary meeting today of the board of Federlegno Arredo Eventi, and in view of the ongoing public health emergency, the decision has been taken to postpone the upcoming edition of the Salone del Mobile.Milan to 16-21 June,” they said in a statement.
“Confirmation of the change of date for the trade fair—strongly supported by the Mayor of Milan Giuseppe Sala—means that the manufacturers, in a major show of responsibility, will be able to present their finalised work to an international public that sees the annual appointment with the Salone del Mobile.Milano as a benchmark for creativity and design.”
Other fairs that have had to change plans include Taipei International Gift, Stationery & Culture Creative Show 2020 (Giftionery Taipei), which doesn’t have a rescheduled date yet; originally scheduled for the second week of March, the Light+Building trade fair in Frankfurt, Germany, has been delayed until September, and co-located Paperworld India, Corporate Gifts Show, Interior Lifestyle India and Interior Lifestyle India presented by Ambiente India have been postponed to 21 to 23 January 2021.
“The current situation represents a major challenge for the MICE industry over the world,” says Raj Manek, executive director and board member, Messe Frankfurt Asia Holdings.
“We have been in constant dialogue with industry players and keeping the interests of our valued exhibitors foremost, we felt it was imperative to take this decision at this point in time.”
