As national and international vaccination rates rise, there is room for optimism among attendees and event organizers: “Face-to-face interaction, intensive consultations and discussions with experts, not to mention the vibrant trade fair atmosphere are central to the SPS experience,” explains Sylke Schulz-Metzner, Vice President SPS at Mesago. “This is something we have heard time and again from both exhibitors and visitors and so we are working with great enthusiasm to make it all happen again this year.”
The entire spectrum of smart and digital automation
With around 700 exhibitors from the automation sector already registered, the industry’s appetite for face-to-face contact and live experiences clearly remains undiminished. From start-ups to key global players, the entire spectrum of smart and digital automation will be represented and ready to showcase intelligent and practical solutions and innovations on site.
Whilst there is clearly a lot to look forward to, the health and safety of all attendees also remains paramount. As the organizer states on its website, the protection and hygiene concept, which was developed last year to comply with, and even exceed, the legal requirements, is therefore continuously being adapted to the pandemic situation. Wider aisles in the halls, as well as additional communication and waiting areas in higher frequented zones at the event will help people maintain the necessary social distancing.
Hybrid format
To expand its offering and provide access to visitors who are unable to attend in person, the exhibition team is planning a hybrid SPS format for 2021. “Exhibitions were hit hard in 2020, but the situation also proved advantageous for digitalization, with the consequence that, although we want to focus primarily on the on-site event for 2021, the plan is to also provide an entirely complementary online offering,” explains Schulz-Metzner. A concept is currently being finalized, based on the experience and insights gained over the past year as well as expert talks with exhibitors and digital specialists, which will cater to the needs and requirements of participants and tie in with the on-site exhibition.
Stay up to date
The event organizer will be posting regular updates at sps-exhibition.com. Those interested can check this website for all the information they need to attend.
About Mesago Messe Frankfurt
Mesago, founded in 1982 and located in Stuttgart, specializes in exhibitions and conferences on various topics of technology. The company belongs to the Messe Frankfurt Group. Mesago operates internationally and is not tied to a specific venue. With 160 members of staff Mesago organizes events for the benefit of more than 3,300 exhibitors and over 110,000 trade visitors, conference delegates and speakers from all over the world. Numerous trade associations, publishing houses, scientific institutes and universities work with Mesago closely as advisers, co-organizers and partners. (mesago.com)
Background information on Messe Frankfurt
Messe Frankfurt is the world’s largest trade fair, congress and event organiser with its own exhibition grounds. The Messe Frankfurt Group employs around 2,500* people in a total of 30 subsidiaries. The company generated annual sales of approximately €250* million in 2020 after having recorded sales of €738 million the previous year. Even in difficult times caused by the coronavirus pandemic, we are globally networked with our industry sectors. We have close ties with our industry sectors and serve our customers’ business interests efficiently within the framework of our Fairs & Events, Locations and Services business fields. One of the Group’s key USPs is its closely knit global sales network, which extends throughout the world. Our comprehensive range of services – both onsite and online – ensures that customers worldwide enjoy consistently high quality and flexibility when planning, organising and running their events. We are expanding our digital expertise with new business models. The wide range of services includes renting exhibition grounds, trade fair construction and marketing, personnel and food services. Headquartered in Frankfurt am Main, the company is owned by the City of Frankfurt (60 percent) and the State of Hesse (40 percent).
For more information, please visit our website at: www.messefrankfurt.com
* preliminary figures 2020