While we have managed to support our customers’ business during the challenging times of the corona crisis, the current increase in new infection cases worldwide has led to the decision that we will not participate in large international trade fairs until September 2021. Local trade shows are not affected by this decision. To ensure that we stay connected with our customers, webinars and virtual/hybrid customer events will have an even higher focus than they already have.
On the one hand, many trade fairs are currently attracting less global and more local visitors – largely due to travel restrictions and a general reluctance to long-distance travelling. On the other hand, the concern for the health and safety of our employees is of the utmost importance to us. Viewed in this light, we have made the difficult decision not to participate in the large international trade fairs until September 2021.
“The outbreak of COVID-19 in the beginning of the year and its rapid resurgence during the summer and early autumn has required a reevaluation of our attendance at upcoming events and trade fairs. Since we do not want to put neither our customers nor our employees at risk during large international events, we have decided not to participate. In the meantime, we are engaging with customers around the globe via application-specific webinars, and virtual/hybrid events providing expertise and guidance to help customers further increase the resilience of their operations. We will continue to do this – and do even more of them,” explains Stefan Klebert, CEO of GEA Group AG.
The trade fairs Gulfood Manufacturing and PackExpo International have been cancelled by the organizers themselves in 2020. In addition, GEA has decided it will not attend this year’s BrauBeviale and to cancel scheduled participation in IPPE, Interpack, Anuga Foodtec and Achema in 2021 as well.
Assuming the spread of COVID-19 is brought under control in mid-2021, preparation for those large international trade fairs scheduled for Q3/Q4 next year will start as currently planned, pending the potential impact of COVID-19 as the year progresses. The global situation will be closely monitored and we will make the appropriate decisions.
We will continue to offer our customers remote support and maintenance tools that can help minimize travel and physical meetings, as well as smart process automation and control solutions. That said, where a service technician is required, we are doing everything in our power to ensure customers get the help they need, while meeting any local health and safety requirements they may have.
We will also proactively reach out to you to let you know about upcoming GEA online events that are relevant and perhaps helpful for your business.
We are truly in this all together. Stay healthy, stay safe.
Your GEA team