Light + Building 2020 cancelled
(Germany) – International trade show will not take place until 2022.
In view of the global situation caused by the Corona pandemic, and the prohibitions on events and travel restrictions associated with it, Messe Frankfurt has decided, jointly with its partners – ZVEI and ZVEH – and with the Trade Fair Advisory Council, to cancel this year’s Light + Building and to hold it, in accordance with its normal sequence, from 13 – 18 March 2022.
This year’s event was, at first, postponed to September, however as time has gone on, there has been much speculation within the lighting industry as to whether the event would definitely take place. A number of exhibitors had been reportedly disgruntled with the last-minute rescheduling of the show and lighting designers darc has spoken to have also been unconvinced as to whether they would attend a September show given the incurred extra costs for flights and accommodation.
In an official statement from the organisers, Wolfgang Marzin said: “The current regulations, combined with continued global travel restrictions and the potential threat to individual health, make it impossible to hold Light + Building in 2020.
“At the same time, in the interests of exhibitors and visitors, we must avoid unnecessary costs in good time. The decision has not been easy for any of us, but now we shall be directing our energies to holding the next Light + Building in its accustomed sequence in 2022.”
This decision also affects Intersec Building. Now, as a platform for connected security technology, the format will celebrate its premiere as an integral part of Light + Building in 2022.
“Light + Building is of quite particular importance for companies engaged in lighting and building services technology – it is here that industries with the latest technologies look far into the future. However much we regret the cancellation, we are also in favour of it,” said ZVEI President Michael Ziesemer. “Given the manifold uncertainties and challenges, it was right to make this decision now, jointly and in a dialogue between partners.”
The chairman of the ZVEI Association for Electrical Installation Systems, Daniel Hager, added: “In the present situation we would not have been able to experience the positive, cooperative and innovative spirit which Light + Building has embodied from its very start. Everybody’s mind is elsewhere and social distancing is not suitable for a trade fair. So we should all look forward: the fair will continue to exist, as a beacon for the industry and as a platform rich in the exchange of ideas. I am sure: in March 2022, with new energy, we shall have a better starting point for the fair.”
Manfred Diez provided the following analysis from the perspective of the ZVEI Association for Light: “The light industry is a very innovative sector, with many new products and technologies. To show these to a broad public, Light + Building is one of our most important tools. To make sure it stays so”, continues the Association’s chairman, “we must all pull together.”
At the same time ZVEH President Lothar Hellmann emphasised: “Over the past 20 years Light + Building has developed into ‘the’ information and technology platform for the industry. What makes this leading international trade fair so vital is the intensive exchange which takes place between its participants. That there is nothing to replace the personal meeting, despite all modern communication, has been a major experience during the corona crisis. I am therefore looking forward with pleasurable anticipation to Light + Building 2022, at which climate protection, electromobility and digitalisation will provide a major focus.”
Holger Heckler also had some words to say on the matter. The chairman of the VEG (German Electrical Wholesalers’ Association) said: “We can perfectly understand this decision. It is really unfortunate for the electrical industry that Light + Building cannot be held in 2020 and we must manage as best we can without our most important trade fair. But health comes first.”
