The special hybrid edition of imm cologne - the international interiors show - planned for Jan. 20-23, has been cancelled due to the current developments in the coronavirus pandemic in Europe and Germany.
“We’ve had to face the reality even though it’s painful," says Gerald Böse, CEO of Koelnmesse.
“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.
“But we’re optimistic about the future and doubly looking forward to 2022, when the industry can gather here in Cologne again and get off to a dynamic start to the year with imm cologne,” says Böse.
“With the special edition of imm cologne, we wanted to play an active role in tackling the current crisis, but now we have to abandon that plan,” says Oliver Frese, COO of Koelnmesse.
“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,”
“The fact that imm cologne 2021 can’t take place because of the pandemic is extremely regrettable for our industry,” says Elmar Duffner, president of the Association of the German Furniture Industry (VDM).
“But in view of the worsening coronavirus situation in Germany and many other countries, it’s the right decision. As imm cologne’s conceptual sponsor, we support the decision to cancel the event,”
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.
