Following the cancellation of ITB Berlin 2020 as well as other events at the Hamburg Messe, Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX), World Travel Catering & Onboard Services Expo (WTCE), the Passenger Experience Conference (PEC) and The Crystal Cabin Awards (CCA) have been postponed.
The Hamburg Messe where Aircraft Interiors Expo is exhibited – Image, Economy Class and Beyond.
The reason is the escalation of COVID-19 in Europe.
The events were due to take place between 30 March to 2 April 2020 at the Hamburg Messe.
In Quotes
Katie Murphy, Portfolio Director at Reed Exhibitions, said:
“The health and safety of our exhibitors, visitors and staff is our number one priority. In close coordination with all partners involved, we will promptly announce an alternative date for the events.
“We have been closely monitoring the situation and notices issued by the World Health Organisation (WHO), as well as the German Federal Government and Hamburg local authorities. While it is disappointing to postpone the events, given the ongoing developments related to COVID-19, we believe it is the best course of action for all involved.
“This is not a decision we have taken lightly. We trust that postponing the events will provide the international passenger experience industry the opportunity to achieve their business objectives later in the year and we are working to have confirmed dates as soon as possible. We thank our exhibitors, partners, suppliers and visitors for their support.”
Further information and updates will be released on the organiser’s sites
- https://www.aircraftinteriorsexpo.com/
- https://www.worldtravelcateringexpo.com/
- https://www.passengerexperienceconference.com/
Impact beyond the Messe
It’s going to be quiet at the Messe… and beyond the show floor.
We all know that COVID-19 has taken a heavy impact on various industries – and there’s going to be a heavy impact beyond the Hamburg Messe – be it in logistics cancellations, products launches rescheduled, personnel shuffled around, transportation plans cancelled and hoteliers finding that a lot of hotel rooms have suddenly gone empty.
(Your author personally had a hotel on a Pay-On-Arrival rate, with flights on a Reward Flight Saver – so my exposure is currently £1 + a night at Heathrow Airport (£80ish).
Other companies will be exposed to a LOT more as they wait for new dates, to plan for a new show.
Of course – it’s the only decision that could be taken with a lot of people coming in all over the world – which would require massive screening every day.
And at this time – that isn’t viable.
As countries seek to delay or contain the human malware outbreak, safety is paramount. Delaying a show – whilst inconvenient – seems to be the only course of action for now.
(And also as per WHO Recommendations: Remember to wash your hands https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public )
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