Special edition of imm cologne cancelled
“We’ve had to face the reality, even though it’s painful. In the end, because of the very dynamic way things are developing right now, the uncertainty among our exhibitors and visitors was just too strong. This decision was geared to the interiors industry and made in close consultation with our conceptual sponsor, the VDM (Association of the German Furniture Industry), as well as our exhibitors and partners,” says Gerald Böse, CEO of Koelnmesse in an official press statement. “Because the concept for the special edition was based on the offline and online formats being closely interlinked and mutually dependent, not even a purely digital event made sense under these circumstances,” explains the CEO. With ambista – the global online business network for the furniture and interiors industry – Koelnmesse already combines the most important functions that market players in the furniture and interiors sector need on a daily basis in a single platform,” explains the CEO. “But we’re optimistic about the future and doubly looking forward to 2022, when the industry can gather here in Cologne again and get off to a dynamic start to the year with imm cologne,” says Gerald Böse.
“The entire imm cologne team firmly believed that all sorts of things would have been possible with our hygiene and safety concept #B-SAFE4business and the concept for the special hybrid edition,” says Matthias Pollmann, Vice President Trade Fair Management at Koelnmesse. “And a lot of national and international exhibitors and visitors shared that progressive attitude with us. But because of the current situation, not even the special edition of the imm cologne would have been a real gathering place for the interiors sector – and that means it wouldn’t live up to our own standards or those of our exhibitors and visitors,” adds Pollmann.
From 19 January to 23 January 2022, the imm cologne will take place physically as usual, supplemented by a digital extension. The concept will be set up in the coming weeks together with the industry. The imm cologne also plans to provide an insight into the trends, products and relevant topics that will shape the coming year in January next year. (am)
