“We’ve been in crisis mode for over a year”

The postponement of the interlift has caused quite a stir. LIFTjournal talked to Henning Könicke, the managing director of the interlift organiser AFAG, about the background to this and the reactions of the industry.

What prompted you in the end to postpone the interlift - after all, you had a sophisticated hygiene concept that had been approved and had argued very strongly at the political level for an opening strategy for trade fairs in particular?
Könicke: As far as the organisational conditions are concerned, we would have been very well prepared for an interlift event this year. We have a tried-and-tested hygiene concept and purely in conceptional terms, the interlift would have been ready too. But something quite basic was missing: the prospect of opening! Currently, one cannot foresee from when trade fairs will once again be allowed – it could be June, but September is also possible. Politics has left us in the dark there.
interlift exhibitors are very committed and put a lot of effort into preparing their trade fair presentations, however, they need planning certainty in turn and a certain amount of preparation time, especially in an international context. Exhibitors from abroad have been criticising the unclear long-term objective-setting in this regard of our federal government. The date in spring 2022 now gives all of us more certainty and lead time.

Photo: © AFAG

How did exhibitors in Germany and abroad react to the decision?
Könicke: We took the decision to postpone the interlift together with our technical sponsor VFA Interlift e.V. In many cases, exhibitors and also visitors wanted a later data for the next interlift, since this would give them more planning certainty. The longer planning horizon has now produced great relief.

How great are the economic consequences of the many cancellations and postponements for the AFAG?
Könicke: The Corona crisis has hit the entire economy hard; the trade fair industry has suffered especially hard; after all, we’ve been at a complete standstill for over a year. We also had to cancel or postpone events. Nevertheless, we long tried to maintain the normal state of affairs for our employees. Despite some non-trade fair orders, we are of course trade fair people. Consequently, we’re in general optimistic, since once the trade fairs begin anew, things will improve, and we’ll make an important contribution to the economy as a whole.

You are not only active for the AFAG, but also for the trade fair sector as a whole - among other things, as chairman of the trade fair and exhibition organisation ‘Fachverband Messen und Ausstellungen e.V. (FAMA)’. What was last year like for you?
Könicke: Last year was an enormous challenge for the entire sector, not just for us as a trade fair organiser. There is a lot more involved: in the background, exhibitors, trade fair constructors and service partners are working for the trade fair restart, but apart from this, hotels and restaurants in many cities live from the trade fair business.
A great many small and medium-sized trade fair organisers and service providers are organised within FAMA, who have also been personally affected by the crisis. However, particularly in these companies, confidence and optimism are unbroken.
It was also a very challenging year for me personally: although we were confronted with a trade fair standstill, we still had a lot to do. We’ve been in crisis mode for over a year: this means we have been conducting intensive discussions with partners, associations and politicians to ensure the restart of the trade fair sector can soon be a success. We’re all very much looking forward to when it can at last get going.

Photo: © AFAG

What will the trade fairs of the future look like? Will they retain their importance?
Könicke: At the beginning of the Corona crisis, many companies tried out the advantages of digitalisation. I think some processes will remain digital and that’s a good thing. But we’ve also all noticed how much we miss personal contacts and talks. This is true personally, but also professionally. Above all where advice and investments are concerned, trade fairs are indispensable! Consequently, just like our exhibitors and visitors, we’re once again looking forward to trade fair live events.

More information: The 33-year old Henning Könicke has been managing partner of the interlift organiser AFAG Messen und Ausstellungen GmbH together with his cousin, Thilo Könicke, since the beginning of 2017. The economist has been honorary chairman of FAMA since this year.

www.interlift.de
www.afag.com
www.fama.de