Heimtextil cancelled, other Euro shows still on

Global printed textile show Heimtextil, scheduled to take place in the second week of January, has been cancelled over resurgent Covid concerns in Germany.  

The commercial print industry will be hoping that the outbreak dies down in time for LabelExpo and Fespa to go ahead. The big label show is scheduled for Brussels at the end of April, with global wide format expo Fespa a month later in Berlin, with many Aussie and Kiwi printers planning on being at the shows.

Niche European print shows scheduled for March in Germany are currently on. However digital and sceen printing show DS Printech China - hosted by Messe Dusseldorf - has also just been postponed from January, because of Omicron, and will now be held 8-10 March.

Heimtextil is the first show of the new year, and kicks off the expo season. The German trade fairs began opening for business again in October, however vaccination rates are only around 70 per cent, leaving the country susceptible to outbreaks.

The organiser said, “The exponential increase in the number of infections in a very short period of time and the accompanying multitude of developments and resolutions that are clearly outside the realm of influence of the organiser have led to a significant deterioration in the general conditions and necessary requirements for holding Heimtextil as a major trade fair of international relevance at this early stage.”

The converting, paper and print exhibitions ICE Europe, CCE International and InPrint Munich, which were twice postponed last year are on track to go ahead from 15-17 March.

Patrick Herman, event director of converting, paper and print events at Mack-Brooks Exhibitions, said, “Finally, our live events can continue their critical role in bringing the global converting, paper and print industry together. As of today, a total of 467 exhibitors will be presenting their latest technologies.

“For the first time, the three shows will take place at the same time and the same venue, creating an all-round experience, with increased opportunities and synergies for all trade visitors on-site.

“With InPrint Munich covering the print technology for industrial manufacturing we are now able to offer an almost comprehensive overview of the value chain.”