Traide fair spring 2020 – cancelled?

A truly unprecedented trade fair spring! The Leipzig Book Fair cancelled. The HANNOVER MESSE cancelled. The ITB in Berlin, the world’s largest travel fair, cancelled. The Craft Brewers Conference, the Geneva Salon, the LogiMAT and many more – cancelled.

But let’s begin at the beginning: after the winter break, directly in the first working week, the tempo is already very hectic. The first trade fairs begin at the end of January, and up to the hot-season break in summer there are more than 20 of them scheduled, all of which have to be properly prepared for.

Germany is Venue Number 1. Here, at regular intervals, exhibitors and visitors from a vast array of different sectors meet up with each other. A large international presence means a fair scores highly. So it’s unsurprising that cities like Frankfurt, Düsseldorf, Cologne, Hanover and Munich are affected with particular severity when the new coronavirus appears. After the exhibitors had initially cancelled their participation due to lack of resources or simply as precautionary measures, a bit later the fair organisers were finally compelled to postpone their events or cancel them altogether.

Customer-responsiveness despite restrictions

Krones has also taken a wide array of measures designed to slow the spread of infection. Working from home wherever possible, and stringent safety standards where it’s not. But despite restrictions on travel and visiting, we are making every endeavour to maximise customer interfacing.

When on 13 March the interpack 2020 was postponed until February 2021, it was clear that the concept and stand layout created could not be implemented in this form. Many hours of creative work and consultations all for nothing? No! As our clients already know, in challenging times, Krones can respond quickly and flexibly. People expect Krones to provide a strong global network all over the world. We attach major importance to live communication and personal advice to our clients on the spot.

A virtual presence

But unusual situations necessitate unusual measures. We’ve been condemned to a contact ban – but not to inactivity and definitely not to social distancing. And so it was quickly decided: we need a digital platform for the exhibits and themes planned for the interpack 2020! After all, our stand construction already existed as a virtual entity. This has been enriched in recent weeks with a whole lot of additional content, and embedded in a fit-for-purpose framework.

So permit me to introduce: our virtual stand for the interpack 2020! From 28 April to 5 May, we shall be publishing further blog postings on topical aspects of the fair. What’s more, we have additionally set up a live-chat function for you from 28 to 30 April. So our clients’ preparations for the interpack weren’t wasted either. From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. CEST, like the interpack’s opening hours, please feel free to post your questions to our colleagues. Even though it’s not face to face, we’re there for you. Outside the opening hours, you can of course reach your sales contact persons in the usual way. The only fly in the ointment: this is no substitute for the trade fair feeling. My insider’s tip: veal sausage from your favourite butcher’s and a good dollop of genuine Bavarian Händlmaier mustard.

And don’t forget: postponed doesn’t mean cancelled – the trade fair autumn will not be in the tiniest bit boring!

Until then, we will see each other at our virtual booth for interpack, which you can find here by the way!