The reason is the increasingly critical situation due to the Covid-19 pandemic and a prohibition order issued by the Hannover Region, Deutsche Messe announced. Hannover Messe 2021 will be held from April 12 to 16, 2021.

This year, the world of industry will not be able to meet in Hanover. Comprehensive entry restrictions, contact bans and a prohibition order from the Hannover Region make it impossible to hold the Hannover Messe. At the same time, the economy is also affected by the coronavirus crisis. The manufacturing industry - Hannover Messe's core clientele - is already struggling with the serious consequences of the pandemic. German industry is experiencing a drop in demand and sales. As a result, there are supply bottlenecks, production stops and short-time working.

"In view of the dynamic development around Covid-19 and the extensive restrictions on public and economic life, the Hannover Messe cannot take place this year," says Dr. Jochen Köckler, Chairman and CEO of Deutsche Messe. "Our exhibitors and partners, as well as the entire team, have fought with all their might to hold the event. Today, however, we have to realize that it will not be possible to stage the world's most important industrial trade fair this year."

However, the organizers do not want to cancel the trade fair altogether. "The need for orientation and exchange is particularly important in times of crisis," says Köckler. That is why they are working on a digital information and networking platform.

"We are firmly convinced that nothing can replace direct contact from person to person and are already looking forward to the time after corona," says Köckler. "However, flexibility and pragmatic action are particularly important in times of crisis. As the world's most important industrial trade fair, we want to provide orientation and keep economic life going, especially during the crisis - and we are doing this with our new digital offering."

Thilo Brodtmann, VDMA Managing Director: "The cancellation of Hannover Messe 2020 is a regrettable decision, but it is the only right one. The mechanical engineering industry must now focus on cushioning the consequences of the pandemic in its own companies so that it can then get back on track. In April 2021, the mechanical engineering industry will be back at full strength in Hanover."

Wolfgang Weber, Chairman of the ZVEI Management Board: "The fact that Hannover Messe 2020 cannot be held is a bitter loss, but it is the right decision. The trade fair is the showcase to the world for the electrical industry, which unfortunately remains closed this year. Our companies will use the time until 2021 to work through the considerable consequences of coronavirus. Next year, they will present themselves all the more with the latest products and solutions relating to Industry 4.0 and the energy system of the future." as