Messe Essen: industry is committed to IPM

With an "impressive commitment to the world's leading trade fair for horticulture IPM Essen," Messe Essen sees confirmation of the course it took in January for the event and its hygiene concept. Until now, 907 exhibitors have registered for the trade fair from 26 to 29 January 2021; around 1 500 companies were represented in Essen this year.
The trade fair organisers have also openly stated that almost 20 Dutch exhibitors wish to stay away from IPM 2021 on this occasion due to the Covid-19 pandemic. This is "an absolute exception," says Oliver P. Kuhrt, chief executive officer of Messe Essen. "We  are currently experiencing not only in Essen that  large  fairs  with   international participation  can  once  again  be  held  successfully.  The be-all and end-all is a functioning hygiene concept, and we have proven that."
In addition to minimum distances and a mask requirement, it includes, for example, online registration of all participants and increased opportunities for disinfection and hand washing. "A fair is not a concert or a soccer match. The distances between the participants are greater, and they are also much more widely spread over time. That's why we are expecting regional shifts due to travel restrictions, but assume that not much will change in the overall picture," adds Sabina Großkreuz, head of marketing.