German trade fair industry draws negative COVID-19 balance
According to AUMA – the Association of the German Trade Fair Industry – 670 trade fairs have been cancelled since March 2020. Events that did take place saw around 87% fewer exhibitors and visitors. Overall, this resulted in damages of €60 billion.
At the height of the pandemic, 180,000 jobs were secured through short-time work schemes. AUMA Managing Director Jörn Holtmeier stated: “November aid, bridging assistance, and short-time work measures worked and helped prevent the worst outcomes.”
Although many trade fair builders temporarily worked in vaccination and testing centres, a large number of skilled workers have permanently left the industry due to a lack of prospects.
Although the trade fair business resumed in spring of the previous year, pre-pandemic levels have still not been reached. While the industry contributed €28 billion to Germany’s gross domestic product in 2019, this figure dropped to just €14 billion in 2022—only half of the previous level. Last year, only 70% of exhibitors (142,000) and 65% of visitors (7.2 million) returned to in-person events. Experts do not expect new record figures until 2024.
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