imm cologne will not take place on the planned dates in January 2022, states show organiser Koelnmesse.
The decision to cancel the event was taken in close consultation with the Association of the German Furniture Industry (VDM) and other well-known industry representatives at an international level.
"Following consultation with numerous exhibitors, industry representatives and trading partners, there is either no question of participation on the part of German exhibitors or exhibitors from the German-speaking region – or this is very much in doubt," says Jan Kurth, CEO of the VDM.
Koelnmesse COO Oliver Frese explains: "The current special basic conditions in the interior design industry make the practicability of imm cologne almost impossible. We didn't make this very bitter decision easy for ourselves, but consider it to be our obligation to take this step now in close consultation with the industry. In this way we provide clarity and planning security in the interests of our exhibitors. In our shared perspective, an imm cologne with its claim as a leading trade fair for the interior design industry is not realisable in the current situation.
"We are currently working actively on options for also still being able to offer exhibitors of imm cologne an attractive trade fair presence at the international level. Here, both spoga+gafa and ORGATEC present excellent alternatives in the interior design portfolio of Koelnmesse.
"This step is restricted exclusively to imm cologne and its specific requirements for trade fair operations. We are principally planning, as before, to carry out our spring events in 2022. The political guidelines allow for this, and, following the excellent and safe course of the past autumn trade fairs, this must remain our mission in the interests of the participating industries."
As of the end of October, 600 exhibitors from more than 50 countries were lined up to exhibit at the event.
Koelnmesse, together with the VDM and the exhibiting industry, says it will do everything possible to "get a powerful and innovative imm cologne 2023 on its feet".
