Glasstec has been postponed until the summer 2021, following pressure from exhibitors to cancel the 2020 event.

The German glass exhibition will now take place on June 15-18, 2021, just three weeks after the rescheduled FIT Show.

“In view of the continued uncertainties in terms of travel restrictions and quarantine provisions in the core target markets, Messe Düsseldorf has opted in favour of these new dates in close coordination with the trade fair’s advisory board and all partners involved,” its organisers announced. 

This follows a statement from the Italian machinery manufacturers’ association, Gimav, that its members will not attend exhibitions before the end of this year. It also warned exhibition organisers to “avoid an overcrowded calendar in 2021”.

Other exhibitors had already announced their intentions to withdraw their support for a show in 2020, including Guardian Glass and the Fenzi Group.

Instead, there are plans to offer a digital version of the exhibition on the original dates in October.

“The economic crisis caused by the corona pandemic has also hit the glass industry and its machinery and equipment manufacturers hard,” Glasstec organisers said. “Many companies are forced to switch to crisis mode and put all investments – including trade fair participations – to the test to mitigate possible negative economic impacts.

“Potential travel restrictions and the protection of visitors’ and exhibitors’ health will have an impact on visitor numbers. A smaller Glasstec 2020 with markedly fewer visitors would, in our view, not do justice to the trade fair.”

Egbert Wenninger, chairman of the Glasstec advisory board, said: “In 2021 we expect a strong Glasstec with high international attendance, ideally in perfect sync with a phase of economic recovery after corona.”

Werner M Dornscheidt, president and CEO of Messe Düsseldorf, said: “In close consultation with the industry associations, major exhibitors as well as many other partners, we have succeeded in agreeing on these new dates. We are happy to help all parties involved reliably plan with this joint decision. Needless to say, we are also in close contact with the hospitality sector and all other industries and trades affected by the re-scheduling with a view to coming up with viable solutions.”