interlift 2022: It's not about money, it's about the future

The interlift at the end of April 2022 will take place - says the organizer. He expects the number of exhibitors to reach 60 to 65 percent of 2019.

These statements were made at a virtual press conference of the interlift organizer AFAG and the professional partner VFA-Interlift. Technically, it was actually not a press conference on February 1, but rather an online presentation for interlift exhibitors. It met with quite a lot of interest; according to the organizer, more than 230 participants took part, and the chat was actively used.

Up to this point, 312 exhibitors from 27 countries have registered, according to the organizer, they are getting new applications for booths every week and hope to end up with 350 to 400 exhibitors. By comparison, there were 577 exhibitors from 44 countries in 2019. Incidentally, 96 percent of the applications for 2022 come from Europe – a third of them from Germany, followed by Italy, Turkey and Spain. So it will be a European event, says interlift project manager Joachim Kalsdorf.

Only two percent of the registrations so far have come from Asia and the U.S. – but the organizers attribute this mainly to the threat of quarantine after the return home. "We’re still canvassing, we’re usually done with that a year before the show, but of course this year everything is different, the preparations are not finished yet," explains Henning Könicke, one of the two AFAG managing directors and the event’s moderator.

No Wittur Cube

Photo: © AFAG

On request, he confirms some bad news: Wittur has withdrawn its registration, so there will be no Cube at the interlift 2022. Halls 8 and 9 are also to remain unused this time. In view of the low number of exhibitors and the uncertainty as to how many visitors will come to Augsburg, the question naturally arises as to whether such a trade fair is financially worthwhile for AFAG and VFA-Interlift. The answer is surprising: this year it is not about money, it is an investment in the future. "The business and the profit will come back with the next trade fair," explains AFAG Managing Director Henning Könicke.

There remains the question of the number of visitors, which of course plays the decisive role for the exhibitors. When it comes to the answers, a mixture of hope and experience comes into play: for example, at the last AFAG trade fair "DCONex" on January 19/20, the number of visitor registrations tripled in the week before the start. "Our experience shows that visitors decide later and later and wait until the last moment," says Henning Könicke.

Currently 2G+ applies

The optimism of the organizers is fed by the current development: case numbers have decoupled from the number of hospital admissions and occupancy rates in intensive care units, Thilo Könicke emphasizes in his statement. The second AFAG managing director diligently answered the numerous questions about the hygiene concept and the vaccination status in the chat throughout the online conference.

The current status: 2G+ applies. Persons who are considered boostered can attend without a test, those with only two vaccinations need a current test. There will be a testing center (free of charge) in the vicinity of the fair.

All vaccines licensed in the EU are currently recognized – for example, Italy’s green vaccination certificate from Italy is sufficient for untested entry. It is hoped that by interlift, vaccines not previously used in the EU will also be recognized. Outside the booth and if 1.5 meters of distance cannot be maintained, an FFP2 mask must be worn. However: government regulations are constantly changing, and the AFAG provides up-to-date information on its website.

A safe event

Photo: © AFAG

In his welcoming address, VFA Chairman Achim Hütter emphasized that the interlift could be organized safely for exhibitors and visitors: "Take the opportunity to meet again."

A positive statement for participation in the fair was given at the conference by two company representatives Peio Garciandia (Public Affairs Director of Orona) Rachele Soffritti (Export Area Manager of Nova Elevator). The two VFA board members and interlift exhibitors Michael Gubisch (Schaefer) and Rudolf Ramseier (Cobianchi) also expressed optimism: "We will have more visitors at the interlift than negative thinking people expect."

Ulrike Lotze

More information: Read also a commentary by Michael Gubisch. He is responsible for trade fairs on the VFA board and is managing director of Schaefer GmbH.

Those who could not be there can watch the conference here.

interlift.de