Omicron Concerns Force Light+Building to Change Date
January 10, 2022
As the Omicron variant of COVID-19 jumps in its infection rate globally, Messe Frankfurt has decided to postpone the Light+Building fair for the second time (the March 2020 show was postponed as well) after intensive discussions with customers and partners. The new date for Light+Building 2022 will be October 2-6 at its usual Frankfurt am Main location and with an “Autumn Edition” descriptor.
“We took the concerns of our partners very seriously and, of course, also weighed up the entrepreneurial opportunities and risks. Fortunately, we managed to find an attractive autumn date and make it possible through internal rescheduling for Light + Building. This means that the prospect of a strong, international sector launch in Frankfurt in 2022 remains,” explained Wolfgang Marzin, President & CEO of Messe Frankfurt.
Last December, the high incidence in Germany followed by the international appearance of the Omicron variant and the associated travel restrictions had already led to uncertainty in the lighting, building and safety technology sector. In the discussions, major parts of the industry confirmed the need for an international meeting place for the sector in Frankfurt this year. The Chairman of the Electrical Installation Systems Division of the Electro and Digital Industry Association (ZVEI) stated, “After the long break, the industry absolutely needs the new start to finally be able to present the many innovations in the future market of ‘sustainable building’ — and to do so at the world’s most important platform of its kind, Light + Building. The new [October] date gives all participants sufficient planning time and enables personal exchange before the end of the year. We are already looking forward to seeing business customers and partners again and to a joint, successful autumn edition of Light + Building 2022 in Frankfurt.”
Ingolf Jakobi, General Manager of the German Electrical and Electronic Trades Association (ZVEH), added, “Our industry is actively involved in the development of important future topics such as climate protection, digitalization, electrification and energy efficiency. In all these areas, there are a multitude of innovations that we would like to present to our customers and introduce in personal discussions. For the e-trades, it is therefore essential that the fair, as the most important industry platform, takes place this year.”
Dr. Jürgen Waldorf, Managing Director of the Lighting Division of the ZVEI, agreed, “Especially after the long break, it is important for the lighting industry to exchange ideas in person and to meet on the most important German and international platform.”
Light + Building is an important international sector meeting for architects, industry, trade, commerce, and planners. As an innovation forum and interdisciplinary marketplace, it is also a guarantor for business initiation, new contacts, and knowledge transfer. With its holistic orientation, it focuses on current topics that contribute to sustainability issues.
For the Light + Building Autumn Edition, the hybrid concept remains the same. In addition to the international industry meeting place in Frankfurt, participation is possible via the Light + Building Digital Extension platform. At the Exhibition Centre from October 2 to 6, exhibitors will present a unique product spectrum for integrated building planning.
