The organisers of INTERNORGA in Hamburg, Germany, have announced they will be now cancel the event, one of Europe’s largest trade shows for foodservice and hospitality, until 2021. The next INTERNORGA will now take place from 12 to 16 March 2021.
INTERNORGA was originally scheduled to take place from 13-17 March 2020 but then postponed to 20-24 June of this year in order to mitigate against the spread of coronavirus.
Hamburg Messe und Congress GmbH (HMC) has decided to cancel INTERNORGA 2020 following “extensive consultations” with the exhibitor council, it says. “In view of the increasing spread of the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 and the impossibility to make any reasonable predictions regarding the future development, our exhibitors, our visitors and we ourselves no longer have a reliable basis for planning this event,” says Bernd Aufderheide, president and CEO, Hamburg Messe und Congress.
“As a matter of fairness and prudence we must cancel this trade fair, which we hereby do with great regret.”
Foremost concern
Cancelling the show entirely this year, says Aufderheide, provides all would-be exhibitors with a firm basis to be able to plan ahead. “Our foremost concern is the health of all parties involved. We are unable to guarantee that even for an event in June,” he says.
“After carefully weighing all options, there was only one possible solution if we were to ensure the safety of all stakeholders. I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude for the great support the INTERNORGA team has received from many exhibitors in this exceptional situation.”
Hamburg Messe und Congress, says Aufderheide, is now about to launch preparations for INTERNORGA 2021 to ensure “the trade fair will meet the high-quality standards established in the past”.
Detailed answers to any questions in connection with the cancellation can be found on the organisers website, here.
Michael Jones
