Hannover Messe USA, the North American staging of Hannover Messe, has been canceled due to the published guidelines for reopening the state of Illinois economy amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Hannover Messe USA is held simultaneously with the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS), which was canceled on June 8. Hannover Fairs USA, the organizer of Hannover Messe USA 2020, planned to shine a spotlight on Industry 4.0 and Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) solutions that support post-pandemic manufacturing. Hannover Messe will return alongside IMTS in the East Building of Chicago’s McCormick Place from September 12-17, 2022.
"Along with our partners at AMT - the Association for Manufacturing Technology, we are sad about the need to cancel the entire event," said Larry Turner, president and CEO of Hannover Fairs USA. However, the well-being of our exhibitors, attendees and staff remains our primary concern." This year’s Hannover Messe, would have covered 130,000 square feet of exhibit space and was to feature technologies and solutions that allow manufacturers to securely run their facilities remotely, thereby limiting the number of workers on the factory floor. The show was slated to offer an expanded educational conference plus on-floor education sessions.
Under state guidelines, conventions may not be held until Illinois reaches Phase 5 of the recovery plan, which calls for the availability of a vaccine for the COVID-19 virus or a highly effective treatment protocol. The state of Illinois is currently in Phase 3. Hannover Messe 2020 was scheduled to run alongside IMTS 2020 from Sept. 14-19. The combined event would have been the largest convention held in McCormick Place this year.
As a result of the cancellation, IMTS expects to host expanded digital programs over the next several months. Hannover Messe 2020 exhibitors will be able to participate in these digital programs to network and share technical knowledge with the manufacturing community. Select Hannover Messe USA 2020 exhibitors are slated to participate in Hannover Messe Digital Days, a two-day digital event focused on industrial transformation in the fields of industry, energy and logistics during and after the pandemic and economic shutdown. Hannover Messe Digital Days takes place virtually from July 14-15.
