Glasstec cancelled

Glasstec trade fair has been cancelled in response to the coronavirus pandemic and continued global lockdown measures, as well as international travel restrictions.

Glasstec was scheduled to take place on June 15-18, 2021, which had already been postponed from 2020. The next Glasstec will be held on September 20-23, 2022, which falls in to line with the previously arranged timetable.

Organisers said that holding the event in June this year could not guarantee a successful outcome, given the current circumstances.

“As of March 3, the German Federal-State Conference has decided to further extend the nationwide lockdown,” Erhard Wienkamp, managing director of Messe Düsseldorf, said. “Based on this decision, and due to the current level of infection rates and the associated international lockdown restrictions, we cannot guarantee holding the event in the accustomed format and quality.

“Especially as a result of the travel restrictions Glasstec, with its high percentage of international exhibitors and visitors, would not be able to live up to its standing as the world’s leading trade fair for the glass industry. We have re-assessed the situation with our partners and jointly opted in favour of cancelling Glasstec in June early on.

“The planning certainty of our exhibitors, visitors and service providers is our highest priority. All activities will now centre on the successful holding of Glasstec 2022.”

Egbert Wenninger, chairman of the Glasstec advisory board and chairman of VDMA’s glass technology forum, said: “Glasstec has been and still is the most relevant global event for the glass industry, machinery producers and skilled crafts, and it brings together people from all over the world. A Glasstec held in 2021 can, unfortunately, not fulfil this expectation.

“Business has already started to pick up for the glass sector and will make Glasstec an international festival for the glass industry again next year.”

For 2022 organisers are additionally working on a hybrid trade fair experience with a view to also allowing digital participation in conferences and special shows such as Glass Technology Live.