The CEO of Messe Frankfurt, the organiser of Automechanika in Germany and around the world has called on the German government to open up.
“As mirrors of the economy, trade fairs have repeatedly been confronted with crises – now they are set to reprise their role as stabilisers of the economy. That is because trade fairs are where our oldest and most valuable currency is traded: trust,” said Wolfgang Marzin. He noted that although digital and hybrid event formats have once again demonstrated the flexibility and diversity of trade fairs during the crisis, “Lasting trust can only be created in person. Close partnerships cannot develop in a purely digital arena.”
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A statement authored by Marzin and European Parliament Vice President Nicola Beer called for the German government to do more to open up the economy.
“The European trade fair industry needs policymakers to send a clear signal that events can resume. Spain, Great Britain and the Netherlands have already demonstrated that major events such as trade fairs and congresses are possible once again” read the statement. “Germany is particularly important to international business, and it needs to show the political courage necessary to permit a full reopening of the trade fair industry on the basis of the experience gained in hygiene and testing concepts throughout Europe”.
READ: AUTOMECHANIKA FRANKFURT TO TAKE PLACE AS ‘HYBRID’ EVENT
Automechanika Frankfurt is set to return in 2022 having been cancelled since 2020 due to the pandemic.
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