Formnext 2020 will only take place virtually
Formnext, undoubtedly the largest professional additive manufacturing fair in the world, will only take place virtually this year, has announced Mesago Messe Frankfurt. Due to the recent rise of COVID-19 infections around the world, the organizers been forced to cancel the physical Formnext in Frankfurt altogether, and are renaming the online event Formnext Connect. Still scheduled to start on November 10, Formnext Connect aims to fulfill the same ambitions as Formnext 2020: to represent the international meeting point for additive manufacturing and industrial 3D printing.
For many months, despite the pandemic, Messago Messe Frankfurt was planning for Formnext 2020 to take place physically by incorporating a maximum of protection and safety for exhibitors and visitors. However, the current progression of the virus has risen infection rates and travel restrictions all over the world. Petra Haarburger, President of Mesago Messe Frankfurt stated: “The current rise of the COVID-19 infection figures in Germany, Europe and around the world have led to increasing uncertainty among exhibitors and visitors. Together with the renewed tightening of official and in-house travel restrictions, this will no longer allow the otherwise highly international Formnext to be carried out in the accustomed quality.”
Even though, some might be disappointed, recent initiatives have shown that the industry is hungry for virtual events too. Nevertheless, Sascha F. Wenzler, Vice President of Mesago Messe Frankfurt commented, “Our disappointment at the end of the summer is all the greater now that we have to recognize that the course of the pandemic is destroying our efforts to make these personal encounters possible again.” What the pandemic will not make impossible are virtual events! Wenzler adds, “An exchange between technology providers and users is absolutely necessary, and we are now putting all our energy into the realization of a virtual Formnext, the Formnext Connect. It will be the central virtual platform for business and knowledge exchange for the global AM community at the end of the year.”
Formnext Connect will start as a virtual event from 10 November 2020 and will offer a wide range of digital services. These include exhibitor presentations in showrooms (products, information, videos, chat function, lead generation / lead tracking), intelligent matchmaking with all participants supported by AI, live streaming and on-demand content of the supporting program and webinars as well as the scheduling / assignment of appointments for online meetings with exhibitors. You will be able to find the latest developments and information about Formnext Connect HERE.
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