Messe Düsseldorf is postponing the world's leading international trade fair interpack until next year: it will now take place from 25 February to 3 March 2021.
13 March 2020
Messe Düsseldorf is postponing the leading international trade fair interpack. It will now take place from 25 February to 3 March 2021.
According to Messe Düsseldorf, this follows the recommendation of the German government's crisis management team to take the principles of the Robert Koch Institute into account when assessing the risk of major events. Due to this recommendation and the recent significant increase in the number of people infected with the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), including in Europe, Messe Düsseldorf has reassessed the situation.
In addition, the general decree issued by the state capital of Düsseldorf on 11 March 2020 generally prohibits large events with more than 1,000 participants present at the same time.
Werner M. Dornscheidt, Messe Düsseldorf GmbH (Image: Messe Düsseldorf / ctillmann)
„The decision was made in close consultation with our advisory boards and sponsoring organisations.“ Werner M. Dornscheidt (Chairman of the Board of Management of Messe Düsseldorf GmbH).
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It also reflects the wishes of individual sectors: „As their partner, we are currently doing everything we can to reduce the economic losses suffered by our exhibitors,“ Dornscheidt continues.
„The city of Düsseldorf is complying with the instructions of the state government. Our aim is to slow down the spread of the coronavirus so that the functioning of the healthcare system is maintained,“ emphasises Thomas Geisel, Lord Mayor of the state capital Düsseldorf and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Düsseldorf Messegesellschaft, emphasised.
According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), delaying the spread of the virus as much as possible is also a declared goal. In order to fulfil Messe Düsseldorf's responsibility to avert danger, the company first and foremost had to minimise the increased risk of infection at major events.
Measures to minimise the risk of transmission at major events, which the Robert Koch Institute has clearly defined - such as ventilation of the event venue that is appropriate to the risk of infection, the exclusion of people from risk groups and the nationwide establishment of entry screenings - were practically impossible to implement. In view of the unforeseeable rapid development and the scale of the various events, comparable measures were and are not feasible. up to 60,000 participants unreasonable.
Industry partners in favour of new date
The industry partners of interpack are in favour of the decision to postpone the event and, together with the trade fair organisers, are looking forward to a successful event next year.
„interpack is the absolute top event for the international packaging sector and the related process industry. The trade fair thrives on personal encounters and direct dialogue between people from all over the world. This is only possible if there are no health risks. The postponement is therefore responsible and correct. We are looking forward to next year's event to discuss the key issues in the industry, such as sustainability, and to present appropriate solutions,“ says Christian Traumann, President of interpack 2020 and Managing Director & Group President at Multivac Sepp Haggenmüller SE & Co. KG.
„The coronavirus and the associated restrictions now pose a major challenge for the entire mechanical engineering industry. The possible and currently unforeseeable effects of the virus with an incalculable risk of infection, the threat of quarantine for returnees, general travel restrictions in some countries but also considerable travel restrictions on the part of many companies unfortunately make it impossible to successfully organise interpack in May. As the organising association of interpack, the VDMA welcomes the postponement in these exceptional circumstances. The new date now ensures planning security,“ says Richard Clemens, Managing Director of the VDMA Food Processing and Packaging Machinery Association.
Werner M. Dornscheidt is pleased with the general consensus and support in this special situation: „We would like to thank all partners for their excellent cooperation in this serious and time-critical decision. We are pleased that a date was found together so quickly in order to offer all those involved Maximum planning security to be able to give.“
