Coronavirus causes disruption in confectionery/bakery events sector
Since the mass spread and continued outbreak of the Coronavirus, many trade fairs and events across the industry have been forced to review their calendars on a global scale and postpone to later on in the year for when it is suspected we will see a containment of the virus.
Vitafoods Europe announced it will postpone the event in order to take the necessary precautions from Coronavirus. Informa Markets released the following statement:
“In light of the ongoing COVID-19 health situation, we have taken the difficult decision to postpone Vitafoods Europe 2020 until 1-3 September 2020,” said Chris Lee, Managing Director, Health and Nutrition Network, Europe, at Informa Markets.
“This conclusion is not one that has been reached easily. However, following consultation with our stakeholders, and taking the continually evolving health concerns and travel restrictions into consideration, we are agreed the postponement is the best course of action.
“By acting now, we hope to remove the uncertainty affecting exhibitors and visitors and allow them to make more concrete business decisions.”
The organisers of CPX20: Cannabis Products Exchange – the new frontier of legal cannabis edibles and beverages, also announced the event, previously due to be held in April, will be postponed due to health and safety risks relating to the development of Coronavirus.
The website was updated with new information:
“We have been monitoring the evolving situation around COVID-19/Coronavirus, which, as you know, is changing rapidly. The health and safety of everyone at Cannabis Products Exchange is important to us, and we have decided that this event will be postponed and take place July 30-31, 2020 at the Hilton Denver City Centre.
“Our top priority is the health and safety of all participants at these events including attendees, sponsors, vendors and staff. Due to the magnitude of the unanticipated public health and safety issues, in addition to increased travel restrictions, we have determined that postponement at this time is the best, most productive approach for all.”
Due to COVID-19, the CHOCOVISION conference 2020 event made the decision to postpone until June 2021.
The business conference updated its LinkedIn profile with a statement announcing the news, stating “the new date will be announced in due course,” and urging people to “stay safe & healthy!”
And of course, a much-anticipated event in the confectionery calendar, interpack was due for its triennial appearance, but after much deliberation, it was ultimately one among many who decided to defer the event until 2021.
Messe Düsseldorf said the event will now take place from 25 February to 3 March 2021. “The decision was taken in close consultation with our advisory board and sponsoring associations,” emphasised Werner M. Dornscheidt, Chairman of the Board of Management of Messe Düsseldorf GmbH. It also reflects the wishes of individual industries: “As their partner, we are currently doing everything in our power to reduce the economic losses suffered by our exhibitors.”
“The city of Düsseldorf is following the instructions of the state government. Our aim is to slow down the spread of the coronavirus so that the health system can continue to function properly,” said Thomas Geisel, Lord Mayor of the state capital of Düsseldorf and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Düsseldorf trade fair company.
