With the spread of the deadly coronavirus to Europe, Messe Düsseldorf is postponing the following March trade fairs: ProWein, Wire, Tube, Beauty, Top Hair and Energy Storage Europe.
In close coordination with all partners involved, the company will promptly discuss alternative trade fair dates in order to guarantee planning can reliably proceed.
In doing so, Messe Düsseldorf is following the recommendation of the crisis management team of the German government to take into account the principles of the Robert Koch Institute when making a risk assessment of major events amid concerns about the global virus.
On the basis of this recommendation and the recent significant increase in the number of infected persons, including in Europe, Messe Düsseldorf has reassessed the situation. Added to this is the uncertainty of numerous exhibitors and visitors at the events in March and the complicated travel situation, especially for international customers.
“Our customers, partners and employees trust us,” says Werner Dornscheidt, CEO of Messe Düsseldorf. “Not only when it comes to the professional and successful handling of major international events in Düsseldorf. They can also have this trust in us when we make decisions about critical situations in the interests of their safety”.
Thomas Geisel, Lord Mayor of the City of Düsseldorf and chairman of the supervisory board of Messe Düsseldorf, adds: “This decision was not an easy one for all concerned. But the postponements at the present time are necessary for Messe Düsseldorf and its customers in view of the increasingly dynamic developments.”
There are currently no intentions to postpone the major trade fairs Interpack and Drupa, which will be held in Düsseldorf in May and June.
“Of course, we are taking our customers’ inquiries regarding the coronavirus very seriously here too,” says Dornscheidt, “so we will re-evaluate the situation in good time in consultation with health authorities and partners in order to make the appropriate decisions.”
With a revenue of around EUR 369 million in 2019, the Messe Düsseldorf Group has maintained its position as one of Germany’s most successful trade fair companies. The Düsseldorf Exhibition Centre hosts around 50 trade fairs in five sectors of expertise: machinery, plants and equipment; the retail trade, trades and services; medicine and healthcare; lifestyle and beauty, and leisure. The trade fairs include 22 proprietary number-one events as well as, currently, 15 robust partner and guest events. Also, its subsidiary Düsseldorf Congress held over 1,000 conventions, corporate events, conferences and meetings in 2019, attracting around 365,000 delegates in all. In addition, the Messe Düsseldorf Group organizes 75 proprietary events, joint events and contracted events in other countries and is one of the leading export platforms in the world. For more info, visit www.messe-duesseldorf.com
