CHINA / GERMANY - Suspense and great anticipation accompanied the launch of the first Koelnmesse event since the coronavirus crisis began: Interzum Guangzhou in China (27 to 30 July 2020) demonstrated that trade fairs with strict hygiene rules in place and a limited number of admissions - in the food-service areas, for example - are possible in spite of the pandemic and can result in a good commercial outcome.

“The international participation was good and in keeping with the circumstances; thanks to digital business matchmaking, exhibitors were also able to reach visitors who were unable to travel to the event”, according to Gerald Böse, President and Chief Executive Officer of Koelnmesse. “This corroborates our efforts to begin hosting trade fairs again in our halls in Cologne as soon as possible. The success of Interzum Guangzhou encourages us to set the course for this outcome, together with our customers.”

Interzum Guangzhou marked the first major platform for the international furniture manufacturing and supply sector in the second half of the year. More than 800 exhibitors from 16 countries and almost 100,000 visitors took the opportunity to meet vendors, customers and business partners again in person, building and strengthening relationships and reconnecting as an industry. “In the current situation, the most important thing is for our customers to feel comfortable and safe at our events”, Keith Tsui, Managing Director of the Chinese Koelnmesse subsidiary, explained. “As event professionals, we see ourselves in a position to create conditions that are conducive to trade fairs, even in times such as these.”