Back in September 2020, a decision was reached by Messe Frankfurt and the industries involved to forgo any physical events at our home base in the first quarter of 2021.
Now, following close consultation with customers, it has become necessary to postpone the international physical trade fair Prolight + Sound, planned for April as a result of the regulations and travel restrictions that have been imposed.
There is currently no end to the pandemic in sight. Events are effectively banned in Germany, and ongoing international travel restrictions mean that it is impossible to make any trade fair plans for April or May 2021.
“The coronavirus pandemic has taken centre-stage, and our plans have not escaped its impact. In light of the current situation, it would not be possible for us to satisfy our customers’ requirements for international trade fairs in April or May,” said Detlef Braun, Member of the Executive Board of Messe Frankfurt.
That is why Messe Frankfurt has decided, following close consultation with its customers and partners, to postpone the hybrid Prolight + Sound event planned for April. An annual spring event is essential for the trend-based order cycles in the entertainment, which means that postponing these events until the second half of the year would not serve the interests of exhibitors.
As a result of the current situation and ongoing travel restrictions, exhibitors are faced with huge uncertainties regarding who will be allowed to be present and their customer contacts, making it extremely difficult to commit to trade fair participation. It simply is not possible at present to offer any planning certainty for investments in trade fair presentations for April or May.
Focus on digital formats
Due to the fact that physical events are not possible, Messe Frankfurt has created numerous digital offerings for its customers. Additional digital information and content offerings are already being planned for Prolight + Sound.
Braun: “The ongoing shutdown of retailers in our visitor countries has made relevant up-to-date information and solutions essential, and we are satisfying this demand with our digital offerings during this volatile time. As you know, we are also continuing to do everything in our power to make safe and successful trade fairs possible, because nothing can take the place of face-to-face encounters.”
As a result, Prolight + Sound will take place from 26 to 29 April 2022.
