MUNICH – One of the world’s leading textile trade fair organisations has announced it will not be staging any physical trade fairs at HQ exhibition grounds in Frankfurt between January and March 2021. Messe Frankfurt says it is revamping its spring trade fair calendar to “focus on new synergies and new digital offerings.”
The company said it has staged 13 large trade fairs at various locations in China since the coronavirus pandemic began but appeared to express frustration that it is not possible to hold such events in Germany at present. “This is in spite of the fact that exhibition halls are amongst the safest enclosed buildings in which people can spend time without being subjected to an increased risk of infection,” said the company in a statement. “The halls can be continuously resupplied with fresh air, and in conjunction with the measures included in our extensive hygiene concept, people could safely do business in person here on the Frankfurt exhibition grounds.”
It added: “However, now that it is not only governments tightening travel restrictions, but also companies, the latest pandemic developments are causing growing uncertainty amongst trade fair customers.”
Wolfgang Marzin, president and chief executive officer of Messe Frankfurt: “It is important for our customers that we make a decision at an early date, as it would otherwise be time for them to begin investing in their trade fair presentations. Messe Frankfurt will continue working closely with its customers to ensure that its decisions serve the interests of the exhibiting industries.”
Messe Frankfurt says Heimtextil has been moved from 4 – 7 May 2021 from its previous spot which was January to 4–7 May 2021. In May, it will now be taking place alongside Techtextil and Texprocess 2021 in Frankfurt. “Much of the international home and contract textiles industry has made it clear that they want Heimtextil 2021 to take place. Many companies are looking to their trade fair presentations to help boost sales following the resumption of business, and we feel that it is more important now than ever that we satisfy this demand,” explained Detlef Braun, member of the executive board of Messe Frankfurt. “However, the travel restrictions that have now been put in place and a renewed rise in the number of infections simply pose too great a hurdle for our very international event.”
