GHM Gesellschaft für Handwerksmessen mbH, organizer of the iba tradeshow, announced the postponement of iba until Oct. 22-26, 2023 in Munich, due to uncertainties surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic still impacting most areas of the world.
The uncertain forecasts including global travel restrictions stemming from the virus’ impact, particularly in terms of iba’s international attraction, GHM Gesellschaft für Handwerksmessen mbH made the difficult decision to postpone the event, which was originally scheduled for Oct. 24-28, 2021.
“We take our customers’ concerns very seriously, especially when it comes to their need to plan ahead,” said Dieter Dohr, Chairman of the Board of Management of GHM Gesellschaft für Handwerksmessen mbH. “The continuing lack of a global opening perspective and the travel restrictions that will remain in place leave us no other option but to postpone iba 2021. The goal is to be able to present iba 2023 in its usual dimension with the same strength and quality. We are aware of our responsibility as a leading trade fair and, with today’s decision, we are ensuring that the industry will be able to plan both at an early stage and in the long term. We would like to expressly thank all those involved for their support over the past months and for placing their trust in us and the iba brand.”
The decision came with the support of Dr. Detlev Krüger, chairman of the iba Advisory Board, and Michael Wippler, president of the German Bakers’ Confederation.
“We fully support this early, well-considered decision even though we very much regret that the industry will not be able to meet live at iba 2021 as planned this year,” Krüger said.
Despite the postponement of the trade fair, show organizers along with the German Bakers’ Confederation, will bring the industry together again virtually during the original Oct. 24-28 show dates for a second iba.Connecting Experts event.
“The iba date is a fixture on the industry’s calendar, and we are very sad not to be able to meet in person this autumn,” said Cathleen Kabashi, head of iba. “Nevertheless, there is opportunity in every crisis. We are pleased to already have a tried-and-tested concept, thanks to our experience with the recently successful executed virtual networking and knowledge event, iba.Connecting Experts. It will allow the industry to network once again at the usual time, even in this unusual year. Despite all the digital possibilities, though, we are already looking forward to a face-to-face reunion with the entire iba family at the iba 2023.”
Pre-registration for the second edition of the iba.Connecting Experts virtual networking and knowledge event is available here.
The preparations and planning that have already taken place for iba 2021 will be seamlessly transferred to the new date in 2023.