Date shift and digital features as a supplement: The next “Domotex” will not take place as planned, from 15 to 18 January 2021, but a good four months later, from 20 to 22 May, in Hanover and then as a “hybrid” event. With this decision, Deutsche Messe AG is creating planning security in uncertain corona times.

Deutsche Messe AG has decided to relocate the event despite the fact that two-thirds of the exhibitor space of around 62,000 square meters has been booked, and despite an existing comprehensive hygiene concept for corona-compliant implementation. “The reasons for this are the current developments of the Covid 19 pandemic, which is rampant worldwide, and the related desire of customers, exhibitors and visitors to hold ‘Domotex’ at a later date,” a press release states. A digital conference is planned for January 15, 2021, the original start date of the trade fair.

The great strength of the world’s leading trade fair for carpets and floor coverings, its internationality, is an incalculable weakness in Corona times. In January 2020, 70 percent of visitors came from abroad and over 80 percent of exhibitors came from more than 60 nations. Currently, the Covid-19 infection figures are rising again all over the world. In many cases, strict travel and quarantine restrictions are in place, and it is not foreseeable when these will be lifted. In addition, there are fundamental fears about travel and stays abroad. At the same time, however, the availability of vaccines is also envisaged for the end of 2020. “It is our duty to act responsibly. From numerous discussions with exhibitors and partners, we have learned that the most important thing is to create planning security at an early stage,” says Dr. Andreas Gruchow, Member of the Board of Management of Deutsche Messe AG. “Thanks to our comprehensive hygiene and safety concept and the positive registration status, we were still very optimistic until recently. But recent developments now show that it is not certain whether the travel situation will improve significantly by January 2021. Against this background, we have decided to postpone ‘Domotex’ from January to May 2021. The discussions we have had with the market so far have been very positive and show that postponing it until May is the right decision!

And one thing has also become clear in the many discussions with market participants: The desire for complementary digital offers to take account of the rapidly growing number of online channels, including those of the flooring industry, and to offer a worldwide neutral platform as “Domotex”. For this reason, “Domotex” 2021 will take place as a “hybrid event” from Thursday to Saturday (20-22 May) inclusive – a physical trade fair supplemented by virtual elements. This will enable visitors who, for various reasons, will not be able to travel even in May, to participate at least digitally. For exhibitors, on the other hand, a hybrid format will continue to guarantee the accustomed international reach: Physically on the exhibition grounds as well as digitally extended to generate even more coverage through new display formats.

In addition, the “Domotex” team is working on a digital conference to be held on January 15, 2021. The main theme “Cover New Ground!” is intended to stimulate the industry to discuss the effects of the “New Normality in Times of Corona” on carpets and floor coverings and at the same time motivate people to think beyond previous strategies, visions and experiences in the design and application of floors and to look to the future.