Germany: Hamburg Messe & Congress Cancels INTERNORGA 2021 as Physical Event

Rapidly increasing coronavirus infection numbers and renewed lockdown measures also affecting the gastronomy, hospitality and events sector for a second time in just a few months make a reliable planning of the INTERNORGA 2021 – the international trade show for the hotel, restaurant, bakery and confectionery industries – impossible. Due to this uncertainty, Hamburg Messe und Congress GmbH has decided to cancel the physical INTERNORGA 2021 event, which was due to take place in the Hamburg exhibition halls from 12 to 16 March. Instead, the viability of a digital INTERNORGA event is being investigated.

“The fact that we have had to make this decision for the second time in one year is very painful for us all, especially since the whole INTERNORGA team had already put their heart and soul into working hard on suggested positionings, a solid hygiene concept and exciting new subject areas for our visitors. But as the saying goes, every crisis hides an opportunity, and we now need to make the most of that together. We are currently investigating whether a digital INTERNORGA, which even under the current conditions would offer the opportunity for personal interaction and the discovery of new trends and innovations, is sensible and viable,” says Bernd Aufderheide, President and CEO Hamburg Messe und Congress GmbH.

The last INTERNORGA took place in March 2019 with around 1,300 exhibitors and 96,000 visitors (cf. our trade show report in EAP 3/2019 presenting the latest F&B trends for leisure facilities & attractions). (eap)