“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,” say organisers Messe Frankfurt. Global textiles expo Heimtextil, which had been billed as the restart of business in the textiles industry, has been postponed from January to 4-7 May, 2021. The move will increase speculation about the date of rescheduled print expo drupa, due to take place in April, 180 km away (1hr 20m by train) in Düsseldorf.
“As a result of the course taken by the pandemic, Messe Frankfurt will not be holding any of its own physical trade fairs at the Frankfurt exhibition grounds between January and March 2021,” said a press release. “The company is revamping its spring trade fair calendar to focus on new synergies and new digital offerings.”
More than 1,160 exhibitors from 50 countries had already made a stand booking for Heimtextil 2021. The show attracts major print technology manufacturers including HP, which showcased its HP Stitch S Printers at the 2020 show.
Messe Frankfurt has already organised 13 large trade fairs at various locations in China since the crisis began but it noted ‘growing uncertainty’ among exhibitors.
“Unfortunately, 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. 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.
“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.”
 |
| Covid cases in Germany (Wikipedia) |
Last Thursday (Sept 17), Germany recorded 2,194 new coronavirus infections within 24 hours, the highest number in several weeks.
Wolfgang Marzin, president and CEO of Messe Frankfurt, said: “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.”
Heimtextil 2021 is being moved from 12-15 January to 4-7 May 2021, when it will 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,” said Detlef Braun, board member of Messe Frankfurt. “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.
“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. We are working closely with our exhibitors and the relevant authorities and doing everything we can to ensure that we are able to hold a safe and successful Heimtextil 2021.”
The rescheduled global print expo drupa is due to take place in Düsseldorf from 20-28 April.
