Organiser Koelnmesse has announced the cancellation of all its trade fairs due to run before the end of October, including Kind + Jugend.  

Following in the footsteps of a number of other trade events, Koelnmesse has announced the cancellation of all its 2020 trade fairs due to take place before the end of October. This means that Kind + Jugend, the international trade fair for children, toddler and baby equipment, has been cancelled.

The international trade fair organiser has worked hard to allay the concerns of exhibitors and visitors, but notes that, ultimately, restarting the Cologne trade fair scene isn’t possible without their participation and full support. A statement on its website says: “We take seriously the difficult situation of our customers – and their concern for the health of their employees. However, we remain firmly convinced that, if all parties involved behave prudently, trade fairs can be held safely and successfully under new circumstances and subject to appropriate conditions. As event professionals, we see ourselves in a position to create framework conditions suitable to trade fairs, even in times such as these.”

The statement goes on to list a raft of reasons why trade fairs should be allowed to recommence, including the role they will play in helping businesses get back on their feet and their professional nature, which Koelnmesse notes is different from sporting events or ‘funfairs’.  The trade fair organiser is aiming to restart its own events from November.

Kind + Jugend 2020, which was due to take place 17th-20th September, is slated to return in 2021, 16th-19th September.