The coronavirus has already led to a significant disruption in the supply chain, causing delays and shortages of goods in some regions. The rapidly spreading virus prompts mass event organizers to at least postpone events. We present some of the postponed trade shows.
Postponed trade shows
The cases of COVID-19 reached over 90,000 all over the world. The mortality rate of the disease is estimated to be 3.4%, while ordinary flu kills less than 1% of those infected. Despite this, COVID-19 hasn’t been classified as a pandemic yet by WHO. Given the circumstances, it is not surprising that mass events are postponed, including trade fairs. Postponements mean enormous losses for the organizers, exhibitors, and participants.
Postponed trade shows – China
The list of postponed trade fairs is long, especially in the Asian region. We present only some of them. New dates of many are yet to be announced.
- 30th East China Import and Export Fair, Shanghai, planned for March 1-4, 2020 – postponed
- China Window Door Facade Expo, Guangzhou, scheduled for March 5-7, 2020 – postponed
- Appliance & Electronics World Expo, Shanghai, planned for March 11-14, 2020 – postponed
- 45th China International Furniture Fair (CIFF), Guangzhou, scheduled for March 18-21, 2020 – postponed
- China Food & Drinks Fair, Chengdu, scheduled for March 22-25, 2020 – postponed
- China International Furniture Machinery & Furniture Raw Materials Fair 2020 (CIFM), Guangzhou, planned for March 28-31, 2020 – postponed
- Beijing Motor Show – Auto China, Beijing, scheduled for April 21-30, 2020 – postponed
- Canton Fair, planned for April-May, 2020 – postponed
- Design Shanghai, Shanghai, new date: May 26-29, 2020
- Shenzhen International Furniture Exhibition, Shenzhen, new date: June 12-15, 2020
Organized by Messe Frankfurt: postponed
- AMR – Auto Maintenance & Repair Expo, Beijing
- Baby & Stroller China, Shenzhen
- Toy & Edu China, Shenzhen
- Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics & Home Textiles – Spring Edition, Shanghai
- Yarn Expo Spring, Shanghai
Postponed trade shows – Hong Kong
- Art Basel Hong Kong Show, Hong Kong, new date: June 18-21, 2020
- Vinexpo Hong Kong, Hong Kong, new date: July 8-10, 2020
Held as part of the Global Sources 2020 Spring Show: all canceled
- Global Sources Consumer Electronics
- Global Sources Mobile Electronics
- Global Sources Smart Home & Appliances
- Global Sources Home & Kitchen
- Global Sources Fashion
- Global Sources Lifestyle
Organized by HKTDC: new date: July 25-28, 2020; all will take place simultaneously:
- HKTDC’s Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair
- Hong Kong Houseware Fair
- Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Spring Edition)
- Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Spring Edition)
- International ICT Expo
- Hong Kong International Home Textiles and Furnishings Fair
- Hong Kong Fashion Week
- Hong Kong International Printing & Packaging Fair
Postponed trade shows – Europe
The coronavirus is also taking its toll on the Old Continent. It thus causes many mass events to be postponed or canceled.
- Mobile World Congress (MWC 2020), Barcelona, planned for February 24-27, 2020 – canceled
- Geneva International Motor Show, Geneva, scheduled for March 5-15, 2020 – canceled
- London Book Fair, London, planned for March 10-12, 2020 – canceled
- Musikmesse, Frankfurt, scheduled for March 1-4, 2020 – postponed
- Watches & Wonders Geneva, Geneva, planned for April 25-29, 2020 – canceled
- Messe Düsseldorf: Beauty Düsseldorf, Top Hair Düsseldorf, Energy Storage Europe, Metav, ProWein, Tube, wire, WTT-Expo – canceled
- Oenorama, Athens, new date: May 3-5, 2020
- Prolight + Sound, Frankfurt, new date: May 26-29, 2020
- Vinitaly, Verona, new date: June 14-17, 2020
- Milan Furniture Fair (Salone del Mobile), Milan, new date: June 16-21, 2020
- Hannover Messe, Hannover, new date: July 13-17, 2020
- Light + Building, Frankfurt, new date: September 27 – October 2, 2020
- Baselworld Watch and Jewelry Show, Basel, new date: January 28 – February 2, 2021
Postponed trade shows – what’s next?
As the coronavirus spreads, mass events around the globe are either canceled or postponed. In the United States, in order to contain the spread of the virus, the Natural Products Expo West held in Anaheim, California, has been postponed. Major companies are withdrawing from participation in conferences that take place even at the end of 2020. Moreover, the National People’s Congress meeting, which was to take place in March, was postponed. It has not happened for many decades. Even the Olympic Games in Tokyo have been postponed until 2021.
If the situation is not stabilized, it can be expected that subsequent mass events will be postponed or eventually canceled. As the situation is changing dynamically, we recommend following official fairs websites.