Embedded World defies the coronavirus
Whereas last year 1117 exhibitors crowded the Nuremberg exhibition halls, this year there is a clear and visible decline – for fear of exposing themselves to the virus by participating in the event and possibly even contributing to its spread, numerous exhibitors had cancelled their participation in the run-up to the exhibition, including practically all major semiconductor manufacturers. The exhibition management had therefore reduced the number of halls. Hall 5 had not been used at all; the exhibitors booked for this hall had been distributed to other halls. Nevertheless, large gaps were visible everywhere.
According to the Exhibition Management, 930 exhibitors had still come to the fair; however, in view of the large gaps in the halls, this figure should be treated with caution. In addition, some companies, such as Vector Industries, had already set up their stands, but then cancelled their participation at very short notice. These companies are likely to be listed as “present” in the balance sheet of the trade fair organizer. The trade fair management did not want to give any information about the number of participants. However, it was obvious that there had been a massive drop in interest from this side as well.
After all, the reduced number of participants also had some advantages: Those who were present were able to conduct their technical discussions without the usual time pressure.
For its part, the trade fair management had done quite a bit to contain concerns about the virus. For example, there were dispensers of disinfectant all over the exhibition grounds where visitors could clean their hands of any viruses. And there were cleaning staff everywhere, constantly disinfecting the door handles. For visitors and exhibitors, the exhibition management had issued stickers which read “We don’t shake hands – we greet each other with a smile”.
In the meantime, it has become known that the LED trade fair Light & Building planned for April has also been postponed until the autumn against the background of the coronavirus threat. According to their own statements, the organizers of the Hanover Industrial Fair are also thinking about a postponement and announced to reassess the situation in mid-March together with the health authorities and the exhibitor advisory board.
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