HEMEROTECA
01/09/2020
01.09.2020 Maik Fischer, Director of Interzum, describes the preparations for the Interzum 2021, the New Normal edition. We want to work with the industry to redesign the future. That is our goal and our challenge. So, Koelnmesse is organising the first event of worldwide relevance for the industry since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. The organisation is giving it a suitable platform on which to showcase innovative and inspirational products, discuss current issues and revive business – and all this in compliance with the applicable hygiene and safety regulations.
To ensure the safety of exhibitors and visitors, Koelnmesse has worked in cooperation with the public authorities to develop #B-SAFE4business. It is a concept that makes provision for all measures relating to hygiene, medical care and organisation. Exhibitors can therefore expect a trade fair with a high standard of safety for all participants.
The event’s importance to the industry and the well-thought-out safety and hygiene concept are also being acknowledged by the exhibiting companies. When the first early-booking discount period came to an end in mid-June, the number of registrations was almost on a par with figures on the equivalent date for the record-breaking Interzum 2019. Receiving such an encouraging number of registrations in these difficult times supports our belief that the exhibitors are looking to Interzum 2021 as the trigger to restart their global business, says Fischer.
Key target groups are within reach
So, with layout planning now beginning, more than two thirds of Interzum’s planned exhibition area has already been booked. And Maik Fischer’s team is also looking forward to welcoming some notable returnees to Cologne next year. In addition to many well-known exhibitors, ranging from market leaders to small creative powerhouses. Companies that have not yet registered for Interzum 2021 still have until 30 September 2020 to reserve their stand area at a special rate.
With a justified shot of confidence, the Interzum team is starting the visitor acquisition process much earlier than usual. We get the sense from our conversations with visitors that they not only see the necessity of attending a trade fair. But that they are also looking forward to Interzum, reflects Fischer. However, it will all depend on the extent to which travel restrictions are lifted. Nevertheless, we are already reaching around 70 per cent of our trade visitors despite the limitations that are currently in place.
Hybrid event
At the same time, the Interzum team is also developing a hybrid event format for those participants unable to travel to Cologne. We will develop a permanent digital extension to Interzum that will be fit for the future. We will learn from the digital formats we are offering this autumn – for Gamescom and DMEXCO – as well as from Imm Cologne and LivingKitchen 2021, Fischer explains. In doing so, we will be giving the exhibitors the added ability to present their products digitally, communicate with virtual visitors and thereby increase the overall reach of their Interzum appearance. Thanks to all of these steps, the world will definitely meet in Cologne for Interzum in May 4-7 2021 – in person and virtually.
Another novelty at Interzum 2021 is that Koelnmesse will dedicate, for the first time, a specific pavilion to start-ups. In this way, the organizers of the fair are betting on a new generation of entrepreneurs, who will bring with them fresh and innovative ideas, so necessary in difficult times.
* For further information: www.interzum.com
