Messe Frankfurt, the organiser of Heimtextil, has announced that January’s exhibition has been cancelled due the worsening Covid situation in Germany.
Heimtextil, which has a history stretching back more than 50 years, focuses on the interior design market. The digital printing presence has been growing rapidly in recent years as designers embrace the technology when it comes to producing upholstery, curtains, bed linen and more.
At the time of writing the organisers were working to see whether the event, originally scheduled to take place from 11 – 14 January, can be held in parallel to the Techtextil/Texprocess trade fair duo in June.
In a statement posted on the Heimtextil website Olaf Schmidt, vice president textiles and textile technologies, explained the decision. ‘Unfortunately this interplay of intercontinental decisions and national demands makes the responsible and economic planning of Heimtextil impossible for us as organisers and for our exhibiting companies,’ he said. ‘In view of the promising starting conditions for the relaunch of Heimtextil, the cancellation is all the more difficult for us.’
Historically Heimtextil has been the first major international trade fair to take place in Germany after the Christmas and New Year period and has regularly attracted exhibitors and visitors from over 135 countries.
However this year the rising number of infections in Germany and the restrictions introduced by Berlin have forced Messe Frankfurt to make the decision to cancel. Particular concerns highlighted include the classification of Germany as a high-risk area and the associated travel warnings as well as international and intercontinental travel restrictions in India, Japan, the United States and England.
At this stage other spring trade fairs including Ambiente, Christmasworld, Creativeworld and Paperworld are not affecte due to their being scheduled for later in January or February. Frankfurt Fashion Week, kicking off on the 17 January, is also still able to take place thanks to its ‘much lower international profile,’ than Heimtextil.
