automatica 2020 will not take place as an in-person event in December. Messe München is now developing a new format with digital elements for mid-2021, adapted to the circumstances of the coronavirus pandemic.
automatica, planned for 8-11 December 2020, will not take place due to the current tightening of travel restrictions in connection with the coronavirus pandemic. This decision was taken by the Messe München in agreement and close coordination with VDMA Robotics + Automation as the conceptual sponsor and the automatica advisory board.
Together with the industry, Messe München is now developing a compact new presence format for mid-2021 that is adapted to the circumstances of the coronavirus pandemic. In addition automatica further expands its digital offering.
automatica 2020 cancelled due to Corona
In consultation with the VDMA Robotics + Automation Association, Messe München decided in March to move the trade fair from June to December. With the Postponement to the latest possible date of the year and the development of a comprehensive protection and hygiene concept, Messe München had done everything to ensure that a safe trade fair could take place. The current development now makes a rethink imperative.
Due to the rising number of infections, travel restrictions have been imposed on more and more European countries and regions in recent weeks. The travel situation outside Europe has practically not improved either. In addition, many national and international companies have imposed internal travel bans. Therefore most exhibitors fear that only a few of the originally expected visitors will be on site. For this reason, participation in automatica 2020 is no longer an option for them.
Under these circumstances, which are unlikely to improve, automatica 2020 would not be able to fulfil its task of bringing together supply and demand. According to the organisers, holding automatica this December would permanently damage the trade fair.
„A trade fair lives from its participants. However, too many of our exhibitors and visitors would not have been able to come to Munich due to the travel restrictions. That's why we ultimately had to decide to cancel automatica 2020. This makes it all the more important to look ahead now. We are working hard on new offers to bring the industry together and move it forward.“ Falk Senger, Managing Director Messe München
„The original decision to postpone automatica was the right one. Because the external conditions have recently deteriorated considerably, a However, a reassessment of the situation is now unavoidable. We are pleased that Messe München has reacted flexibly and is now breaking new ground together with the industry,“ emphasises Patrick Schwarzkopf, Managing Director of VDMA Robotics + Automation.
New trade fair format in development for summer 2021
The industry's need for personal contact, dialogue and presentation opportunities is stronger than ever. That is why Messe München is now working with exhibitors to develop a new face-to-face format with digital elements that is adapted to the conditions of the coronavirus era. The The new event is planned as a compact ‚trade fair before the trade fair‘ for early summer 2021 and is intended as an add-on to automatica. will be organised. Detailed information on this will follow shortly.
„We kept automatica going until the very end. But the current infection situation makes a successful world-leading trade fair impossible and would have damaged its claim and image. That is why our Plans are now moving towards a new event next summer to make time for automatica 2022 and thus provide a necessary, positive impetus for the industry,“ says Wilfried Eberhardt, Chairman of the automatica Advisory Board and Chief Marketing Officer of KUKA AG.
Expansion of the digital offering
In addition, automatica is expanding its digital offering, providing additional opportunities for exchange and orientation knowledge. For example in the new online event series „Let's talk by automatica" The event regularly brings together high-calibre experts, suppliers and users to discuss current issues and trends relating to robotics and automation. It is also planned, among other things To offer modules of the supporting programme originally planned for the December trade fair virtually. This applies, for example, to the International Symposium on Robotics (ISR). Details will follow in the coming weeks.
Source: Munich Trade Fair Centre
