COVID continues to cause postponements

Mack-Brooks Exhibitions has announced the postponement of the fine and speciality chemicals trade show, Chemspec Europe 2021 in view of continued uncertainties regarding travel restrictions and event planning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Last year’s show was twice postponed and finally replaced with a digital event.

Chemspec Europe 2021, the 35th in the series, was originally scheduled for 19-20 May at Messe Frankfurt. It will now be a hybrid physical-digital event on 29-30 September, merging the “on-site offer with interactive digital networking opportunities”.

“Chemspec Digital 2020 showed that virtual exhibition stands and online meetings do indeed provide new sales opportunities and a successful way to generate business leads”, said portfolio director Liljana Goszdziewski. “Combining the two event formats will allow every exhibitor and visitor to attend Chemspec Europe 2021 in the way they feel most comfortable with – regardless of any lockdown regulations and travel restrictions.”

Assuming that ongoing vaccination programmes and other means to control the pandemic succeed and events can resume in 2H, the calendar will become very crowded in the chemicals and related industries. Among other major events to have been rescheduled from 1H already are:

* DCAT Week, from March to 12-15 July

* Chem UK, from May to 15-16 September

* In-Cosmetics Global, from March to 5-7 October *

Interphex/Chemspec US from May to 19-22 October

* NYSCC Suppliers’ Day from May to 10-12 November

Meanwhile, SOCMA has announced that its newly acquired Specialty & Custom Chemicals show, scheduled for Fort Worth in April, has been moved to 2022. It will return to its usual slot in February. Exhibitors and attendees will have registrations automatically rolled over to the 2022 show.

“While there was great optimism surrounding vaccines for COVID-19 and renewed hope for 2021, the emerging variant strains, slower pace of the vaccine rollout and continued company travel bans have made it clear we would not be able to bring you the in-person show you were anticipating,” SOCMA said.