Presence fair, hybrid – and now “only” digital: On 30 September 2020, Messe München cancelled the classic presence fair in January 2021 and nevertheless announced that “Bau” would not be cancelled without replacement. On Friday, 16 October 2020, a survey of exhibitors ended, asking them how they would like to present their products and innovations from 13 to 15 January in a much changed and smaller format. A clear majority of the exhibitors stated that they wanted to concentrate on the purely digital concept.

The “Bau” drew the conclusion from this survey that it would be best to focus or limit its product structure to a digital format. According to Messe München, this now has the advantage that all resources can be bundled into digital presentation options and a digital supporting programme. The concrete offer for “Bau Online” will be sent to the customers of “Bau” in the next few days.

Bau Online” will offer lectures and discussions from the forums as a live stream and as recorded videos for a global audience. In addition, companies will have the opportunity to present their products virtually in their own online sessions. Virtual networking modules will be available in digital format to enable participants to exchange ideas with other participants. It is also planned to integrate the traditional “Bau Info Talks”, discussions between trade journalists and exhibitors, into “Bau Online”.

In 2023, “Bau” will then take place again as usual, including the digital offerings, which will be implemented for the first time next January. There is great confidence at Messe München, because: Nearly all well-known exhibitors who are absent due to the Corona Pandemic 2021 have already announced their participation for the next event in January 2023.