Organizers of glasstec 2020 announced that the tradeshow will be postponed until June 15-18, 2021. In view of the continued uncertainties in terms of travel restrictions and quarantine provisions in the core target markets, Messe Düsseldorf, in coordination with the tradeshow’s advisory board and all partners involved, opted in favor of these new dates, say officials. The show was originally planned to take place Oct. 20-23.
“The economic crisis caused by the [COVID-19] pandemic has also hit the glass industry and its machinery and equipment manufacturers hard,” says Egbert Wenninger, chairman of the glasstec advisory board and chairman of VDMA’s Glass Technology Forum. “Many companies are forced to switch to crisis mode and put all investments—including trade fair participations—to the test to mitigate possible negative economic impacts. Potential travel restrictions and the protection of visitors’ and exhibitors’ health will have an impact on visitor numbers. A smaller glasstec 2020 with markedly fewer visitors would in our view not do justice to the trade fair. glasstec has been and will be the most important global event for the glass industry, mechanical engineering and skilled crafts; and since it should continue to be that way we decided to postpone. In 2021 we expect a strong glasstec with high international attendance, ideally in perfect sync with a phase of economic recovery after [the coronavirus].”
“In close consultation with the industry associations, major exhibitors as well as many other partners, we have succeeded in agreeing on these new dates,” says Werner M. Dornscheidt, president and CEO of Messe Düsseldorf. “We are happy to help all parties involved reliably plan with this joint decision. Needless to say, we are also in close contact with the hospitality sector and all other industries and trades affected by the re-scheduling with a view to coming up with viable solutions.”
