International Confectionery Fair and ProSweets Cologne will not take place in 2021
Now cancelled after all. Despite a comprehensive hygiene and protection concept, the measures of the extended lockdown and travel restrictions in the international environment have forced the organiser to cancel ISM and ProSweets today.
29 November 2020
In the end, even Koelnmesse's comprehensive safety and hygiene concept was not sufficient to hold the trade fairs at the planned time. (Image: Koelnmesse)
Now it is suspended after all. With its comprehensive hygiene and protection concept #B-SAFE4business Village, Koelnmesse wanted to show how trade fairs could work even in times of coronavirus. But the measures of the extended lockdown and travel restrictions in the international environment are forcing the organiser to cancel today.
Just a fortnight ago, the leading associations of the German confectionery and snack industry and key industry representatives were confident that they would be able to organise ISM and ProSweets Cologne 2021. Now it has been cancelled due to coronavirus. The planned Matchmaking 365+ digital format will not be used either, because a purely digital offering without a physical trade fair could not achieve the desired benefits for exhibitors and visitors.
(Image: Koelnmesse)
„We were well positioned and firmly believed that we could give the confectionery and snack industry a re-start with ISM and ProSweets Cologne 2021. However, due to the current uncertainties, our exhibitors and visitors do not see any radical changes that would make it possible to participate in the trade fair in January. Nevertheless, we are keeping our eye on the ball and are getting straight into the organisation of ISM and ProSweets Cologne 2022 with renewed energy.“ Gerald Böse, Chairman of the Management Board of Koelnmesse
For Oliver Frese, Chief Operating Officer of Koelnmesse, the gathering of a large number of national and international industry experts stands for the quality of trade fairs. Due to the recent very dynamic infection situation, the solid level of registrations could no longer be maintained and the high quality could no longer be guaranteed.
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New edition of ISM and ProSweets Cologne in 2022
„Of course we are disappointed. Nevertheless, it is now important to look ahead positively together with our customers. We are still prepared to organise our trade fairs in Cologne with maximum safety and hygiene precautions, and we are already looking forward to a new edition of ISM and ProSweets Cologne,“ adds Frese.
As the conceptual sponsor of the ISM, the Arbeitskreis Internationale Süßwarenmesse (AISM) also regrets this decision: „The The confectionery and snack industry was optimistic that it could really get going again at the start of 2021. As an international business platform, the ISM plays an essential role for the industry in driving forward its own development. But in view of the developments in many European countries, this decision was unfortunately unavoidable,” explains Bastian Fassin, Chairman of the AISM.
Further development of digital formats
The Preparations for the 2022 events are already gathering pace. Together with the conceptual sponsors, Koelnmesse will use the planning phase to continue to position the trade fair organisation well conceptually. This also includes the further development of digital formats that will offer a suitable complement to the physical trade fair.
