INTERNATIONAL
In around nine months, exhibitors, visitors and media representatives will meet from November 27th to December 1st at Texcare International in Frankfurt am Main. Johannes Schmid-Wiedersheim (picture), Director of Texcare International, discussed the current booking status of the international textile care event, the challenges facing the industry and the longing for personal encounters.
Exhibition planning
Johannes Schmid-Wiedersheim commented on where the organizers are currently in terms of planning, satisfaction and the previous response to the exhibition at the fair. “We were also surprised to see that more companies had registered before the end of the early booking phase than at the same time before the postponement of Texcare 2020. Therefore, I can say that the most important companies from all textile care product groups will be holding presentations here again. This is a great result and gives us solid grounds for optimism. I also think that it shows how much the industry wants personal encounters and an international exchange of ideas and information. Companies have a great desire to meet good business partners again, to see technology in operation, to orientate themselves as a branch of industry and to look to the future. And of course, companies affected by the crisis hope for solid impetus for their business at a time when we are now hopefully gaining the upper hand over the corona pandemic. "
Challenging times
Schmid-Wiedersheim recognized that the pandemic was extremely challenging for the entire industry and in particular for some sectors, especially the hospitality industry, but sees positive results as in times after the pandemic. “We see it reflected from all sides: 2020 was an extremely challenging year for the industry. The problems caused by the Covid-19 virus were great everywhere and led to dramatic scenes in certain companies. The slumps, particularly in tourism, the hospitality industry and private customer business, were enormous. It is no different in the trade fair and exhibition business. While it is not clear how long it will take for some semblance of normalcy to return and what trends will weather the crisis for any length of time, we have the prospect of a significant upturn when the pandemic is over. Despite short-time working, sales of work clothes in many laundries have declined somewhat less. This also applies to flat linen for hospitals and care facilities where admission ends and the postponement of elective surgeries has had an impact. At the same time, hygiene, security of supply and sustainability have become more important in relation to the textile recycling industry, so that ultimately the specialist knowledge and experience of textile service providers are in greater demand than ever. ”
On the right way
What will the Texcare 2021 organizer do to prepare for the big event? Schmid-Wiedersheim said that despite the later stand planning than in normal years, everything is on the right track. “The shift from Texcare changed things a bit. We'll start planning the booth later than usual, as the authorities have not yet issued the precise rules for holding safe events in late autumn. Even so, we have prepared ourselves for various scenarios and will no doubt be able to do whatever is necessary at this point. In addition, admission control, visitor registration, enormous room volumes and high air exchange rates are already features of events in Frankfurt, and things like distance and the use of tests can be easily implemented.
“Currently we are mainly concentrating on the Texcare International event program, the central point of which is the Texcare Forum, on which we are working together with our partners, the German Association for Dry Cleaning and VDMA Textile Care, Fabric and Leather Technologies. One of the focal points is of course topics that have gained momentum during the pandemic, such as digitization, new business development, hygiene and sustainability. For my part, I am very interested to see how we look back on that time in a few years. I am sure that we will see numerous positive changes and how the creative ideas currently being developed will have a lasting impact on the industry. "
New initiative
A new initiative for 2021 is to support the additional innovation boost that newcomers to the sector generate. In order to meet this need, Schmid-Wiedersheim Texcare decided in 2021 to support young companies with the introduction of a special start-up package. Other events in the program include the World Textile Services Congress, which will take place during and after Texcare on December 1 and 2, 2021, the Cinet Best Practices Awards on the first day of the fair and a special program for young professionals.
Travel situation
If everything goes well, the travel situation should be almost back to normal by November 2021. However, right now it is difficult to say exactly how normal this will be. What are the organizers planning for visitors who may not be able to travel to Frankfurt for Texcare? "We are firmly convinced that travel and business activities within Europe and with other trading partners will largely be possible by the end of November," said Johannes Schmid-Wiedersheim.
“Despite the extraordinary circumstances, it is important to see the future positively and not just do nothing. Last time, Texcare European visitors made up 80% of the total and it has always been. The number of remote visitors will primarily depend on the vaccination situation, and in this case too, many countries around the world are making good progress in vaccinating their citizens.
“If we take a global perspective and look at our other textile care fairs, we can expect some continental focus in the near future. For example, the Texcare Asia & China Laundry Expo last autumn worked very well for the Chinese market, and this development is likely to continue with the Clean Show 2022 for the American continent, ”predicted Johannes Schmid-Wiedersheim.
“Of course, we want Texcare to maintain its character as the leading international trade fair in the industry, so we are working intensively on concepts that enable foreign visitors to visit the fair in a purely digital manner. In this context, it is very important that we succeed in communicating the innovative character of the fair.
Activate personal encounters
If worst came to worst and Texcare had to be canceled again in 2021 due to epidemiological conditions, what would the organizers do in this undesirable scenario? Schmid-Wiedersheim admitted that unfortunately nobody has a crystal ball that can predict exactly what will happen. “We are in constant contact with the industry and will find a solution for such a situation. Still, two things are certain: first, textiles need to be cleaned and washed, and we want to be the industry partner to enable live interaction. Second, digital events cannot replace people's desire for face-to-face encounters. The past year left no doubt about that. Accordingly, my team and I work hard to enable safe personal encounters for the industry. And I look forward to welcoming exhibitors and visitors to Texcare International in Frankfurt. Until then: stay healthy and above all hopeful. "
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