IMEX Frankfurt event scrapped for second straight year

canceled event. red carpet and barrier on entrance before opening ceremony

IMEX Group has cancelled its Frankfurt event once again this year due to the ongoing COVID-19 travel restrictions.

Group chairman Ray Bloom and CEO Carina Bauer released a joint statement earlier this month announcing the cancellation.

“We know the timing of our announcement comes as a blow so early in 2021,” they said.

“More than anything, and like you, we’re eager to deliver some good news and mark a fresh start.

“When we were compelled to cancel IMEX in Frankfurt and IMEX America last year, we hoped 2021 would see the early recovery of the industry and the IMEX shows.

“We still believe wholeheartedly that a resurgence will come, but sadly we do not believe it will happen in time for us to deliver a strong and successful event in May.

“IMEX in Frankfurt is a hugely global event – our exhibitors and buyers represent 150-plus countries – and we are, therefore, reliant on international travel routes being open in the coming weeks to allow our buyers and exhibitors from across the world to confirm their participation.”

However, Bloom and Bauer said they were “genuinely positive about the future” and confident they will still be able to produce IMEX America in Las Vegas this year.

“The vaccine roll-out and improvements in rapid testing programs give us great confidence for the prospects of our industry and of travel in general,” they said.

“We are very confident that we’ll be able to deliver a successful IMEX America in Las Vegas from 9 to 11 November, as well as the 20th-anniversary edition of IMEX in Frankfurt in 2022 (26 to 28 April).

“The IMEX team is already working hard with our partners in both locations to create and deliver successful shows that will drive the future growth and prosperity of our industry.”

The event, which was slated to run from 25 to 27 May at Messe, was cancelled last year when Germany’s Health Minister called for the ban on events with over 1,000 people.


Featured image source: iStock.com/hrabar

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