With no end in sight to the pandemic any time soon, Messe Frankfurt has decided to cancel all trade fairs scheduled for the first half year in 2021.
With events banned in Germany and ongoing travel restrictions mean it is basically impossible for the International Consumer Goods show, a one-off combined event including Ambiente, Christmasworld and Paperworld, to be held in April, and Heimtextil in May as was first planned.
“The coronavirus pandemic has taken centre-stage and our plans have not escaped its impact,” says Detlef Braun, member of the executive board of Messe Frankfurt.
“In light of the current situation, it would not be possible for us to satisfy our customers’ requirements for international trade fairs in April or May.
“An annual spring event is essential for the trend-based order cycles in the consumer goods and textile industries, which means that postponing these events until the second half of the year would not serve the interests of exhibitors.
“As a result of the current situation and ongoing travel restrictions, exhibitors are faced with huge uncertainties regarding who will be allowed to be present and their customer contacts, making it extremely difficult to commit to trade fair participation.”
With no physical trade fairs possible, Messe Frankfurt has created numerous digital offerings including Consumer Goods Digital Day on 20 April 2021. The content of the Digital Day will be focused on ways in which retailers can help their businesses, which will be supplemented by the opportunities presented by Nextrade, an order and data management portal for the home and living sector.
“The ongoing shutdown of retailers in our visitor countries has made relevant up-to-date information and solutions essential, and we are satisfying this demand with our digital offerings during this volatile time.
“As you know, we are also continuing to do everything in our power to make safe and successful trade fairs possible, because nothing can take the place of face-to-face encounters.”
Heimtextil will now take place from 11 to 14 January 2022, followed by Christmasworld from 28 January to 1 February 2022, and Paperworld from 29 January to 1 February 2022. Ambiente will be opening its doors from 11 to 15 February 2022 in its customary slot.
