- Deutsche Messe, world’s leading trade fair organizer, announced about the cancellation of Hannover Messe
- Hannover Messe for the year 2021 is scheduled from 12th to 16th April 2021
- Demand and sales of the German industry witness decline, leading to bottlenecks in supply, stoppage of production
Deutsche Messe announced about the cancellation of Hannover Messe, the world’s leading tradeshow for industrial technology, for the year 2020 due to the increasingly critical situation surrounding COVID 19 pandemic, in a press release on 26th March. However, it promised to provide the exhibitors and visitors the opportunity for economic policy orientation and technological exchange through digital information and networking from now until next Hannover Messe in April 2021.
Dr. Jochen Köckler, Chairman of the Board of Management, Deutsche Messe AG, said that it is impossible for the industrial world to meet at Hannover this year, due to the comprehensive travel restrictions, bans on group gatherings and a prohibition decree in the region. He further said that COVID 19 is affecting the economy and the manufacturing industry and that the core clientele of Hannover Messe is already facing serious consequences of the pandemic.
In the discourse of the press release, Jochen stated “Given the dynamic development around Covid-19 and the extensive restrictions on public and economic life, HANNOVER MESSE cannot take place this year… Our exhibitors, partners and our entire team did everything they could to make it happen, but today we have to accept that in 2020 it will not be possible to host the world’s most important industrial event”. In addition, he said that the demand and sales of the German industry have declined, leading to bottlenecks in supply, stoppage of production and reduced working hours for employees.
Hannover Messe’s various web-based formats will enable its exhibitors and visitors to exchange information about upcoming economic policy challenges and technological solutions.
Jochen Kockler
Chairman, Deutsche Messe Managing Board
In the 73-year history of Hannover Messe, this is the first time the event has been cancelled; however, Deutsche Messe will not let the show vanish. Jochen stated “The need for orientation and exchange is particularly important in times of crisis… that is why we are currently working intensely on a digital information and networking platform for Hannover Messe that we will open to our customers shortly”.
Hannover Messe will also offer live streams, which will facilitate interactive expert interviews, panel discussions and best-case presentations across the globe, along with enhanced online exhibitor and product search, which will enable the exhibitors and visitors to contact each other directly. However, Jochen stated “We firmly believe that nothing can replace direct person-to-person contact and we are already looking forward to the time after Corona”, and the company is making the best efforts to be flexible and pragmatic during these times of crisis.
In addition, Thilo Brodtmann, Executive Director of Germany’s Mechanical Engineering Industry Association (VDMA) stated, “The cancellation of HANNOVER MESSE 2020 is an unfortunate decision, but it is the only correct one. The mechanical engineering industry must now concentrate on minimizing the consequences of the pandemic in its own operations so that it can start up again. In April 2021, the engineers will be back in Hannover in full force”.
Hannover Messe for the year 2021 is scheduled from 12th to 16th April 2021
Wolfgang Weber, Chairman, Zentralverband Elektrotechnik und Elektronikindustrie (ZVEI), Management Board, also stated “The fact that Hannover Messe 2020 cannot be hosted is a bitter loss, but it is the right decision. For the electrical industry, the fair is the showcase to the world, which unfortunately remains closed this year. So, our companies will use the time until 2021 to manage the considerable consequences of Corona. Next year, they will then present themselves with the latest products and solutions for Industry 4.0 and the energy system of the future”.
