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ProWein 2020 postponed over coronavirus concern

Wine and spirits trade show ProWein has been postponed due to growing concerns regarding the Covid-19 coronavirus outbreak.

ProWein 2020 has been postponed due to coronavirus concerns

ProWein had been scheduled to take place from 15-17 March in Düsseldorf, Germany.

However, show organiser Messe Düsseldorf announced yesterday (29 February) that the 2020 show would not go ahead as planned, in keeping with the recommendation of the crisis management team of the German government.

The group said based on this recommendation and the “recent significant increase” in the number of infected persons, including in Europe, and with uncertainty among numerous exhibitors, Messe Düsseldorf had to reassess the situation.

The company added it will “promptly discuss” an alternative date for the show to “guarantee planning can reliably proceed”.

Werner M Dornscheidt, CEO of Messe Düsseldorf, said: “Our customers, partners and employees trust us, not only when it comes to the professional and successful handling of major international events in Düsseldorf; they can also have this trust in us when we make decisions about critical situations in the interests of their safety.”

ProWein 2019 hosted more than 6,900 exhibitors – 400 of which were spirits brands – hailing from 142 countries. This line-up attracted record visitor numbers for the 2019 show, with 61,500 guests, up from 60,500 the previous year.

Messe Düsseldorf has also postponed other trade shows it organises, such as Wire, Tube, Beauty, Top Hair and Energy Storage Europe, until at May.

Thomas Geisel, lord mayor of the City of Düsseldorf and chairman of the supervisory board of Messe Düsseldorf, added: “This decision was not an easy one for all concerned. But the postponement at the present time is necessary for Messe Düsseldorf and its customers in view of the increasingly dynamic developments.”

For an in-depth exploration of how the Covid-19 coronavirus is impacting the spirits industry, see the March 2020 edition of The Spirits Business magazine, out soon.

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