The organiser of Prolight + Sound 2020 has been forced to postpone the event due to the ongoing effects of coronavirus in Germany, but has announced revised dates. Originally planned to open in Frankfurt on 31 March 2020, the new dates for the event are now 26-29 May 2020.
Following advice from public health officials regarding large public gatherings, Messe Frankfurt took the decision in an effort to prevent COVID-19 from spreading further. The decision was made in part due to the requirement to perform health checks on each delegate, exhibitor and employee at the show.
“The health of exhibitors, visitors, contractors and employees has top priority for Messe Frankfurt,” said Detlef Braun, member of the executive board of Messe Frankfurt. “The ongoing spread of COVID-19 in Europe called for a reassessment of the situation in close cooperation with the public health authorities in Frankfurt, who require that steps be taken to prevent event participants from high-risk regions coming to Frankfurt and visiting the fair when ill.
“Given that these participants could also be infected by COVID-19, it is necessary to conduct a health check to prevent the infection spreading even further. This is an important part of the infectiological risk assessment. Messe Frankfurt is not able to implement such measures.”
Additional factors behind the decision included the growing number of travel restrictions on those trying to reach the event.
“The current situation represents a major challenge for fair and exhibition companies from all over the world,” said Braun. “We regret that the 25th anniversary edition of Prolight + Sound cannot take place as planned. At the same time, we are delighted that numerous companies from the industry have emphasised the importance of holding the show as soon as possible so that they can use it for their product presentations and business development activities this year.”
News of the rescheduling of the show has been welcomed by the German Entertainment Technology Association (VPLT). “We are pleased with this positive response to the challenges facing our sector at present,” said Linda Residovic, director of the VPLT. “It is a good sign that Prolight + Sound is not being cancelled but only being postponed until a later time.
“The VPLT was in constant contact with our cooperation partner, Messe Frankfurt Exhibition, to achieve a quick decision acceptable for all concerned about this year’s leading trade fair for the sector, Prolight + Sound 2020. A variety of factors meant that this was not an easy decision to take. Now we have certainty: the sector will get together again in Frankfurt at the end of May 2020.”
