ISM and ProSweets Cologne 2021 taking place as hybrid exhibition

ProSweets Cologne will continue to be organised as an independent trade fair and will share a hall with ISM exhibitors in 2021.

With the organisers of ISM and ProSweets Cologne as well as the AISM still in favour of a physical edition of the trade fair, both trade fairs are to be organised as a “re-start edition” hybrid form complemented by the digital platform Matchmaking365+.

Koelnmesse said it will continue to watch the developments of the Corona pandemic in Europe and Germany and is constantly engaged in a close exchange with its industry partners.

Oliver Frese, executive director and chief operating officer of Koelnmesse, said that against a background of the current challenges and the related travel restrictions, the hosts know the trade fairs will not take place in their customary dimensions.

The organisers report the number of applications received for ISM is still very promising, however ProSweets Cologne recorded a strong decline in the number of exhibitors.

“This is why together with the advisory board we have decided to bundle the spectrum of offers of the two trade fairs in the halls of ISM in the coming year and stage the two trade fairs as a re-start edition with a modified hall structure,” added Friese.

“This enables us on the one hand to exploit the synergies of both trade fairs even further and on the other to present the industry themes to our visitors in a more concentrated and focused manner.”

Industry sponsor, the International Sweets and Biscuits Fair Task Force (AISM) is also in favour of this approach: “In these times we can certainly only expect a very concentrated offer at both trade fairs and a limited flow of visitors. Nevertheless, we are convinced that we can cause a spirit of optimism with ISM and ProSweets Cologne 2021 and set a positive signal within the industry that trade fairs are possible under these conditions,” explained Bastian Fassin, chairman of the AISM.

The restart edition of the ISM 2021 will be staged in Hall 4.2., together with the European country pavilions. Hall 5.2 will accommodate among others the Trend Snacks Area, the start-ups, the new “Finest creations – hand-crafted” speciality trade area and the trend areas “Sweet Trends by Innova Market Insights” and the Expert Stage. Halls 11.1 and 11.2 are planned for further exhibitors of the ISM and ProSweets Cologne will this year be found in Hall 10.2 together with the world’s leading trade fair for sweets and snacks. A separate food service area will also be set up in Hall 3.1.

Related content

Leave a reply

Food and Drink Technology