As previously announced, one of the major industrial events on the European agenda has been postponed until next year. For the first time in its 73-year history, the Hannover Messe will be skipping a year.
Comprehensive travel restrictions, bans on group gatherings and a prohibition decree in the Hannover region make it impossible to for the event to be staged.
"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," said Jochen Köckler, Chairman of the Board of Management, Deutsche Messe AG, announcing the cancellation.
The Messe is working on a number of web-based formats to enable exhibitors and visitors to exchange information about upcoming economic policy challenges and technological solutions. The organisers say live streams will enable interactive expert interviews, panel discussions and best-case presentations to be followed around the world.
The online exhibitor and product search is also being enhanced, among others, with the addition of a function allowing visitors and exhibitors to contact each other directly.
"We firmly believe that nothing can replace direct, person-to-person contact and we are already looking forward to the time after Corona," says Köckler. "But especially in times of crisis, we must be flexible and act pragmatically. As organizers of the world's most important industrial trade fair, we want to offer orientation and sustain economic life during the crisis. We are doing that with our new digital offering."
All purchased tickets will be refunded in full. No action is required on the purchasers’ part: the Messe will issue an official cancellation notice. Ticket holders are being asked not to call and to allow some time for processing.