In the end, 119 exhibitors took part in the regional trade fair in Essen this year, 18 percent fewer than last year. The number of visitors was 30 percent lower than at all about automation in Essen 2017, which had a comparable number of exhibitors to this year's trade fair. Many companies are not yet allowing their employees to visit a trade fair again. Tanja Waglöhner, Managing Director of the organizer untitled exhibitions: "The corona pandemic will be with us for a long time to come and will restrict our lives. We must strictly adhere to the hygiene and protection regulations. But we must and can also get back to a more normal life and realize what is important for the industry under the new regulations."

all about automation was relaunched with a comprehensive hygiene concept. The conclusion of the organizers and exhibitors: The trade fair was an important signal that trade fairs are possible again and how they can be realized safely. According to the organizer, there was a lot of praise for the implementation of the hygiene and protection concept. In the exhibitor survey conducted on site, 96 percent of exhibitors stated that they felt fully informed, prepared and subjectively safe. In response to the question "To what extent did the necessary regulations (mask, distance, hygiene) have a negative impact on the course of discussions?", 41% said "hardly at all", 51% "moderately" and 8% "very much". Many exhibitors have already tested virtual trade fair formats and currently consider them a useful addition. However, a web meeting cannot replace personal contact and intensive discussions.

The hygiene concept was accepted by exhibitors and visitors and consistently implemented. For the organizer, which is part of the Easyfairs Group, it is important to document this officially and to set the highest standards. SGS, one of the leading inspection, testing and certification companies, inspected and certified the safety and hygiene concept of all about automation during the trade fair.

There will be another edition of all about automation this September: it will take place at Messe Chemnitz on September 23 and 24, 2020. as