GERMANY – The German federal states will decide in future, as of when exhibitions can be realized, if guidelines for hygiene and personal distance are fulfilled. Government and federal states agreed May 6th 2020 that exhibitions will no longer be regarded as mass events.

Jörn Holtmeier, managing director of AUMA – Association of the German Trade Fair Industry – says: “This is an important step in direction of rebooting the trade fair industry. As exhibitions are platforms for innovation and cooperation, they will stimulate the recovery of the German economy in the short and medium run.” The German exhibition organizers and AUMA, too, are prepared to provide the responsible authorities with expertise and experience concerning the realization of exhibitions. For this purpose, AUMA has already prepared recommendations that meet the high demands for hygiene and personal distance.

The gradual reopening of hotels and restaurants, planned by the federal states, is an important signal for exhibitions, says Jörn Holtmeier. The reopening of borders and the resumption of transnational business traffic, too, are crucial for the success of exhibitions in the second half of the year.

Germany is the world’s number one location for international trade fairs. Some 160 to 180 international and national trade fairs are held in the country every year, with around 180,000 exhibitors and ten million visitors. Trade fairs in Germany bring partners together from around the world. They are forums for communication and innovation that reflect the world’s markets. Around two-thirds of all global trade fairs are held in Germany.