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EVENTS

DOMOTEX 2021 becomes DOMOTEX DIGITAL DAY

fter initially being postponed to current and forward-looking topics in the order to give our customers the necessary

May 18-20, DOMOTEX will international flooring industry. planning security from now on,” says
Ano longer take place as a hybrid “Trade shows like DOMOTEX, which Dr. Andreas Gruchow, Member of the
trade show format this year. The current are characterised by a very high level of Management Board of Deutsche Messe
global infection situation in the wake internationality on both sides, amongst AG, commenting on the final decision.
of the COVID-19 pandemic makes it exhibitors as well as visitors, have a Sonia Wedell-Castellano adds:
impossible to plan and organize a physical long planning period. Following the “DOMOTEX thrives on the live
presence on site in Hanover at the world’s recent surge in global coronavirus cases, experience. The shown products need
leading trade show for carpets and floor accompanied by lockdowns, worldwide to be experienced live on-site in terms
coverings. Instead, new digital formats travel warnings and restrictions and of their look and feel. As long as the
will cover the topics of the international quarantine requirements, we now have global pandemic has us so firmly in its
floor coverings industry in May 2021. had to make this decision. Unfortunately, grip and a sufficient vaccination rate
Following the renewed rise in for the first time in its 32-year history, we cannot be guaranteed worldwide, we
coronavirus-related new infections on will not be able to organize DOMOTEX cannot safely plan for the future with
a global scale, Deutsche Messe AG has in 2021 as a physical trade show on our a physical event. Markets thrive on
decided that DOMOTEX 2021 cannot exhibition grounds in Hanover. Even exchange. Our customers are urgently
take place as a hybrid event as planned, a hybrid DOMOTEX is not realistic looking for participation formats, which
after initially shifting from January to in the current situation, as it would allow them to get in touch with their
May. Currently, an alternative digital require a certain proportion of physical customers, expand their existing network
business platform is planned in form of the exhibitors and visitors on-site, combined and access new contacts to present
DOMOTEX DIGITAL DAY on May 20, with travel from all parts of the world. their products and innovations despite
2021. The focus element of this platform We have therefore decided to organize contact restrictions. Our answer to these
is a digital conference that will address DOMOTEX as a purely digital event, in needs is the DOMOTEX DIGITAL
DAY. A conference format, in which
we will address current topics with top
representatives of the industry on May
20, 2021, and provide participants with
an interactive business platform. As part
of the conference, exhibitors will be able
to present their products and innovations,
embrace business and indulge into
networking and connecting. The specific
opportunities for participation will be
available in our online store pretty soon.”
The COVID-19 pandemic is forcing
trade show organizers to rethink.
Numerous trade shows are currently
taking place on a purely digital basis in
response to the market participants’ desire
for complementary digital offerings. With
the new format DOMOTEX DIGITAL
DAY, Deutsche Messe is acknowledging
the importance of rapidly increasing
online channels in the flooring industry.
The digital event will therefore also put a
special focus on digitalisation aspects.
DOMOTEX 2021 will take place as
a digital-only event on May 20. The
next hybrid DOMOTEX is scheduled
for January 13-16, 2022, at the Hanover
Exhibition Grounds. dw

www.domotex.de/en

66 Issue 238 • dw