IFAT event canceled for 2020

Messe München, the organizer of IFAT 2020, has announced that the five-day environmental industry trade fair in Munich has been canceled. The show was originally scheduled to take place in May and then was rebooked for Sept. 7-11.

“In consultation with the Executive Board of the Exhibitors’ Advisory Board and the conceptual partners of IFAT, a survey among IFAT exhibitors revealed that most respondents are against holding IFAT from Sept. 7 to 11, 2020,” stated an emailed announcement from Messe München.

“A safe and successful IFAT 2020 for all concerned—that was our primary concern,” comments Stefan Rummel, managing director of Messe München. “Due to the still unforeseeable circumstances, this objective is unfortunately no longer feasible, even for the new date. We, therefore, cancel the alternative date with a heavy heart.”

The survey was accompanied by “intensive discussions with industry associations, partners and many exhibitors from all segments of IFAT,” adds Messe München. The survey of exhibitors, carried out online the week of April 13-17, found that 64 percent said they did not think it was justifiable to hold IFAT in September (737 respondents), and 507 respondents also indicated “they would like to pause due to low expectations of the fair’s success.”

Adds Rummel, “The next IFAT will take place from May 30 to June 3, 2022. We will continue to develop and digitally complement our platform in order to add fresh impetus to the environmental industry—both at our home base in Munich and internationally.”

The same email indicates that visitor tickets “will automatically be refunded” and says those seeking more information can go to this web page.