Domotex Germany Postponed from January Until May 2021
Hannover, DE, September 1, 2020-Domotex Germany has been postponed from January to May 20 to 22, 2021.
Although two thirds of the exhibition space-about 62,000 square meters-had already been booked, and a comprehensive hygiene concept had been developed to comply with COVID-19 safety regulations, Deutsche Messe AG has decided to postpone the next edition of Domotex to May 20 to 22, 2021. The show was originally scheduled to take place from January 15 to 18, 2021. The reasons for the postponement are based on the latest developments regarding the worldwide rampant COVID-19 pandemic and on the fact that, in view of these developments, clients, exhibitors and visitors have asked for Domotex to be held at a later date.
Domotex is now planning a digital conference to take place on January 15, 2021, the show’s original start date.
The wide international reach and high-caliber visitors, such as top decision makers, are considered to be among the core benefits of DOMOTEX, the leading trade show for carpets and floor coverings: in January 2020, 70% of visitors came from abroad and more than 80% of exhibitors represented more than 60 nations. As every year, the flooring industry came together in Hannover. Now, the latest developments in the COVID-19 pandemic show that infection rates are rising again everywhere. Many countries have introduced strict travel and quarantine regulations and it is impossible to predict for how long these regulations will be in place. There is also a general hesitation to travel abroad and we do not know when people will feel safe to travel again. And then again, there is also the prospect that a vaccine may be available by the end of this year.
Something else has also become clear in the many discussions with stakeholders: there is a need for complementary digital formats in order to respond to the rapidly rising number of online channels in the flooring industry and to establish an international, neutral platform under the name of Domotex. Therefore, Domotex 2021 will take place from Thursday to Saturday (May 20 to 22) as a hybrid event: a physical show complemented by virtual formats. Visitors who, for differing reasons, will be unable to travel in May, will thus at least have an option to participate digitally. For exhibitors, the hybrid format also guarantees the wide international reach for which Domotex is known: physically, in the exhibition halls and also digitally extended, using new presentation formats to generate an even wider reach.