Photo ©MCH Group
Escalating global concern surrounding the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, has led to the postponement of one of the industry’s largest trade shows.
Baselworld, which was slated to take place Apr. 30 to May 5 in Switzerland, will now be held Jan. 28 to Feb. 2, 2021.
The move is in accordance with a Swiss law, passed on Friday, which bans events of more than 1000 people until March 15 in an effort to contain a possible coronavirus pandemic.
MCH Group, Baselworld’s organizers, said the ban had ‘direct repercussions’ for the show, as construction of its venue was scheduled to commence next week.
“We deeply regret having to postpone the event as planned due to the coronavirus,” said Michel Loris-Melikoff, Baselworld’s managing director.
He added, “By postponing the show to January 2021, we have found a solution that enables the industry and all our customers to avoid losing a full year and at the same time reset their calendars for the beginning of the year, a period that is conductive to the presentation of their new products, new trends, and order taking.”
The news follows yesterday’s cancellation of Watches & Wonders Geneva. The event, originally scheduled for Apr. 25 to 29, was called off after the World Health Organization (WHO) reported coronavirus had reached Switzerland.
For more on Baselworld, click here.
