SPS 2021 is Cancelled

SPS, the smart and digital automation fair was supposed to return this week to Nuremberg but due to the current health situation in Germany and the new spread of the COVID-19 epidemic, the organizers decided to cancel the event.

In a statement, Martin Roschkowski, President of Mesago Messe Frankfurt GmbH said:

“We deeply regret this decision, but in view of the rapidly worsening situation and the even stricter regulations, we see ourselves forced to cancel this year’s industry meeting point. Our goal with the SPS 2021 was to design the best possible business platform under the safest possible conditions. We know how important the SPS is for our customers and partners, especially this year. However, it will unfortunately not be possible to hold it despite constantly improving safety measures.”

The fair was meant to come back this year as an in-person exhibition only open to vaccinated people. But attendees who would not have been able to travel to the show would have had access to the digital platform “SPS on air”.

But the health situation dramatically changed in the last few days, and many companies started canceling their participation in the fair. It was only a matter of time before the event was completely canceled.

So far, the organizers haven’t said if the virtual version is still on. They say more info will be released later this week.

Last year, the German fair was taking place only virtually. The SPS Connect platform was featuring keynotes and new products exclusively. Before the event was cancelled, Sylke Schulz-Metzner, Vice President SPS Mesago Messe Frankfurt GmbH was telling us:

“The digital edition went well last year and of course, we weren’t the only ones that held online fairs. However, the credo of the whole community is: the digital extensions are just that – digital extensions. They cannot replace personal, face-to-face contact. Having said that, they do provide a valuable add-on, especially for those unable to attend in Nuremberg.”

This is why the organizers of the fair wanted to launch a hybrid event this year. We might have to wait for 2022.