Today started with another bombshell and shocking breaking for ITB Berlin. This news comes from the Frankfurt convention center. How will ITB react?
Light+ Building Frankfurt cancels a similar size international trade show while ITB Berlin moves forward as scheduled.
Light + Building Frankfurt expected 220,000 trade visitors and 2,700 exhibitors from 55 countries to attend this trade show from March 8-13 in Frankfurt, Germany.
Light + Building is the number-one international industry event. This was clearly shown by the record-breaking figures for the fair in 2018 with over 220,000 trade visitors, more than 2,700 exhibitors from 55 countries and a significantly more international profile.
Light + Building today postponed its event to September 2020. This was not decided after a new analysis of the situation in close cooperation with the public-health authorities of the City of Frankfurt.
A multi-stage health check on guests from China has been called for at Light + Building, the implementation of which would be extremely challenging for Messe Frankfurt.
ITB Berlin expects 100,000 trade visitors between March 3-8 in Berlin with 10,000 organizations and companies from over 180 countries.
ITB is without question the largest and number one travel industry trade show every year.
ITB claimed there are not many visitors from China since Chinese companies are mostly represented by German-based representations.
A reason Light + Building was canceled in March was that the largest groups of exhibitors and visitors come from China and Italy.
Italy has a large exhibition hall at ITB, and so does Korea and China – all countries where Coronavirus is spreading aggressively.
ITB decided to move forward. Is this a smart decision or corporate greed?
Are German authorities making a smart and informed decision, or are they about to make a mistake the country could haunt for years to come?
Safertourism in cooperation with PATA will be holding a breakfast meeting on March 5 at the Grand Hyatt Berlin to discuss coronavirus. ITB visitors are invited to register at www.safertourism.com/coronavirus
