The special hybrid edition of imm cologne planned for 20 to 23 January 2021 has been cancelled due to the current developments in the Covid-19 pandemic in Europe and Germany.
Imm Cologne has been rescheduled for January 19-23, 2022 and Living Kitchen has been postponed until 2023.
Messe Frankfurt, the organiser of ISH, Europe’s biggest bathroom trade event was also forced to cancel its 2021 event this September and will now be a digital-only event. Many trade shows this year have been cancelled or delivered fully digital versions to include Eurocucina and Kbis.
Gerald Böse, CEO of Koelnmesse commented “We’ve had to face the reality, even though it’s painful. In the end, because of the very dynamic way things are developing right now, the uncertainty among our exhibitors and visitors was just too strong. This decision was geared to the interiors industry and made in close consultation with our conceptual sponsor, the VDM (Association of the German Furniture Industry), as well as our exhibitors and partners.
“Because the concept for the special edition was based on the offline and online formats being closely interlinked and mutually dependent, not even a purely digital event made sense under these circumstances,” explains the CEO.
He added “With ambista – the global online business network for the furniture and interiors industry – Koelnmesse already combines the most important functions that market players in the furniture and interiors sector need on a daily basis in a single platform,”
However Koelnmesse stresses preparations for upcoming trade fairs are already under way, he continues “Over the last few months, ‘We make it happen’ was our unambiguous commitment to holding imm cologne in January 2021. With the special edition of imm cologne, we wanted to play an active role in tackling the current crisis. Now we have to abandon that plan.
“The on-site experience of a trade fair is and always will be something very special, and the developments of recent weeks – and in particular the latest feedback from our customers – have shown that today’s cancellation of the special edition, which we had planned with so much dedication and commitment, is the right decision because it’s appropriate to the situation,” says Oliver Frese, COO of Koelnmesse.
Preparations for imm cologne 2022 are already underway
In 2022, imm cologne will take place in physical form as usual, with the addition of a digital supplement. Over the coming weeks, the concept for imm cologne 2022 will be drawn up in conjunction with the industry. “As Europe’s biggest furniture nation, Germany needs imm cologne as the key, leading trade fair. Together with Koelnmesse, we’ll spare no effort in mounting a compelling and innovative imm cologne 2022,” says Jan Kurth, Managing Director of the German Furniture Industry Association (VDM).
In January next year, imm cologne will be presenting a sneak preview of the trends, products and relevant themes that will be shaping the year to come, to be released in compact form on a single day. Digital, emotional, in dialogue in order to keep with its brand promise of creating a network of people, ideas and pathways to success.
The next imm cologne will take place from 19 January to 23 January 2022.
Further information is available at: www.global-competence.net/interiors/
