Messe Stuttgart surveyed the exhibitors at AMB and the result was clear: there is no sufficient basis for an AMB trade fair this year, but there is interest in a format in the fall. For this reason, an AMB Forum with industry-specific specialist presentations will be held for the first time from September 14 to 18, 2020 at the ICS - International Congress Center Stuttgart with an accompanying table-top exhibition and various matchmaking offers.

The next regular AMB will then take place in Stuttgart from September 13 to 17, 2022 and is intended to create planning security in a difficult economic environment. This decision was made by Messe Stuttgart in cooperation with the exhibitors and the conceptual sponsoring associations VDMA Precision Tools Association, VDMA Software and Digitalization Association and VDW German Machine Tool Builders' Association.

"The project team will now immediately start designing and planning the first AMB Forum and begin preparations for AMB 2022," adds Gunnar Mey, Head of the Industry Department at Messe Stuttgart. Mey emphasizes: "Our goal is to realize a successful format together with the interested exhibitors. We are looking forward to the exchange with the industry on this and the personal encounters in September."

Prof. Claus Oetter, Managing Director of VDMA Software and Digitalization: "Since there is still no blueprint for decisions in the Corona crisis, Messe Stuttgart has once again followed the path of maximum customer orientation with the exhibitor survey. The alternative format of an AMB Forum this fall is an opportunity to show the flag as AMB despite the crisis."

Dr. Wilfried Schäfer, Executive Director VDW: "We very much appreciate the fact that Messe Stuttgart actively involved our exhibiting members in the decision on AMB 2020. With the narrow two-thirds majority for the next AMB in 2022, the exhibitors have formulated their ideas, and we very much welcome the fact that Messe Stuttgart is following this recommendation."

Michael Blank, Director Marketing & Communication at the Ceratizit Group: "Unfortunately, I can't imagine AMB 2020 at the moment. But the need for personal contact will return, so postponing it to 2022 is the right decision."

Irene Bader, Director Global Marketing at DMG Mori: "The health and safety of employees, customers, suppliers and partners is a top priority at DMG Mori. For us as an international company, holding AMB 2020 is therefore not an option due to the many restrictions. AMB is a very well-positioned trade fair, so I welcome the postponement to 2022 so that AMB can take place again in the usual cycle. This is the best thing for the protection of everyone involved in the current situation."

Dr. Oliver Gühring, Gühring KG: "It is not feasible to hold AMB this year. Our hope is to be able to hold a halfway normal trade fair year 2021 with many existing events and to organize a successful AMB in 2022."

Steffen Nagel, Nagel Werkzeugmaschinen GmbH: "An AMB 2020 in rubber gloves and masks, on half the space with fewer exhibitors and visitors is not in the interests of our customers and the AMB success story. We are therefore clearly in favor of the next AMB in 2022."