The special hybrid edition of “Imm Cologne” planned for January 20 to 23, 2021 has to be cancelled due to the current developments of the Corona pandemic in the European and German environment. “We had to face reality, even if it hurts. Due to the current very dynamic development, there has recently been too much uncertainty among our exhibitors and visitors. We made this decision, which is tailored to the furnishing sector, in close cooperation with our conceptual sponsor, the VDM, our exhibitors and partners,” said Gerald Böse, CEO of Koelnmesse. “Since both formats – off- and online – were closely interwoven and mutually dependent in the concept of the special edition, even a purely digital event makes no sense under these circumstances. But with Ambista – the worldwide online business network for the furniture and interior design sector, Koelnmesse is already combining the most important functions that market participants in the furniture and interior design sector need on a daily basis in just one platform,” the CEO continues. “We are optimistic about the future, however, and are doubly looking forward to 2022, when the industry can get off to a dynamic start here in Cologne with ‘Imm Cologne’,” says Gerald Böse.

“We make it happen was our clear commitment over the past few months to holding the ‘Imm Cologne’ in January 2021. With the special edition of the ‘Imm Cologne’, we wanted to actively shape the current crisis. We must now abandon this plan. After all, the on-site experience of a trade fair is and remains something special, and the developments of the last few weeks and in particular the latest feedback from our customers have shown that today’s cancellation of this special edition, which we had planned with great commitment, is the right decision because it is appropriate for the situation,” says Oliver Frese, COO of Koelnmesse. “The fact that ‘Imm Cologne’ cannot take place in 2021 due to the pandemic is extremely regrettable for our industry. In view of the worsening corona infection situation in Germany and many other countries, however, it is the right decision. As the conceptual sponsor of ‘Imm Cologne’, we are supporting the cancellation,” comments Elmar Duffner, President of the Association of the German Furniture Industry (VDM), on the cancellation of the trade fair. The entire Imm Cologne team firmly believed that much would have been possible with our hygiene and safety concept ‘#B-Safe4business’ and the concept of the hybrid special edition,” adds Matthias Pollmann, Vice President Trade Fair Management at Koelnmesse. “This progressive attitude was also shared by many national and international exhibitors and visitors. However, the current situation would not have turned the special edition of ‘Imm Cologne’ into a real meeting place for the interior design sector – and thus would not have met our own demands or those of our exhibitors and visitors,” Matthias Pollmann continues.

In 2022, ‘Imm Cologne’ will then take place physically as usual and supplemented by a digital extension. The concept for “Imm Cologne” 2022 will be set up in the coming weeks together with the industry. “As Europe’s largest furniture nation, Germany needs ‘Imm Cologne’ as its central leading trade fair. Together with Koelnmesse, we will do everything in our power to create a powerful and innovative ‘Imm Cologne’ 2022,” says Jan Kurth, Chief Executive Officer of the Association of the German Furniture Industry (VDM). A sneak preview of the trends, the products and the relevant themes that will shape the coming year will be given at “Imm Cologne” in January of next year in compact form on one day. Digitally, emotionally, in dialog – in other words, in line with its brand promise of networking people, ideas and paths to success. The next “Imm Cologne” will take place from January 19 to January 23, 2022.