EVENTS ROUNDUP

Events Roundup With numerous exhibitions having been affected by the Coronavirus pandemic over the last year, and with some uncertainty still hanging over both the events industry and international travel, in this issue we take a closer look at what’s on and where over the coming months and hope that they indeed do take place as conditions improve around the globe By Jon Wadeson

T

he COVID-19 pandemic has badly affected a number of businesses around the world and none more so than those operating within the travel, hospitality, exhibitions and events sectors. Whilst some organisers tried their best with virtual offerings, many, in fact the vast majority, postponed or cancelled events, due to guidance and restrictions put in place by governments across the globe. Now, with some light finally appearing at the end of the pandemic tunnel, there are plans in place for many finally to go ahead. Of course, there is still some uncertainty surrounding what is a constantly evolving situation, and no doubt some events will likely be impacted in terms of their offerings and format, but many organisers and venues are now feeling much more positive and are looking forward to some long-awaited normality resuming to the events sector. So, with our fingers firmly crossed, in this issue, we round up some of the key events that have relevance for the wet leisure industry taking place both here in the UK and further afield over the coming months.

INTERBAD TO BE HELD IN 2021 AS INNOVATION DAYS THIS YEAR Following discussions with the supporting association and the trade fair advisory board, interbad have decided to postpone

44 June 2021 SPN 44-46_SPN_June_21_Events_Roundup.indd 44

their regular event until October 2022 following the rescheduling of the interbad 2020 to this year due to the pandemic. The decision was taken in view of the foreseeable continuation of travel restrictions and the condensed worldwide trade fair market situation for all participants, it was deemed impractical and unrealistic to stage a full-blown interbad in 2021 as over 40% of the exhibitors and more than 1 in 4 visitors come from abroad. With the COVID-19 pandemic creating a hole in the events calendar and with the organisers wanting to bring the industry together in some capacity at a live event, for this year, a more compact alternative concept will run on 22 and 23 September under the name of interbad Innovation Days. The interbad Innovation Days – Congress/ Show/Networking, will therefore be the first national and Europe-wide live event for the swimming pool, sauna and wellness industry after the pandemic. The new format at the Stuttgart Trade Fair Centre will offer trade visitors and exhibitors two exciting days with a Congress, networking and an accompanying exhibition. “We are pleased to present an alternative concept in autumn 2021 that will enable us to bring the industry together in one place in this exceptional year,” said Andreas Wiesinger, a member of the Board of Management of Messe Stuttgart. “We developed the interbad Innovation Days 2021 as a live event which will again finally satisfy

the wish for personal communication between visitors and exhibitors, make it possible to experience the key topic of innovation and, above all, enable know-how to be transferred on a wide scale. The adapted setting with a qualified safety concept will offer planning security and therefore focus on important aspects after the long lockdown,” added Wiesinger.

AQUANALE 2021 – A SPOTLIGHT ON THE POOL AND WELLNESS INDUSTRY Live and in person – Koelnmesse is making what seemed unimaginable for a long time possible. aquanale, International Trade Fair for Sauna.Pool.Ambience, will be hosted in Cologne as an in-person event from 26 to 29 October. New products, trends and opportunities to exchange ideas face-to-face – all this will be available at aquanale, which is co-located with FSB, the International Trade Fair for Public Space, Sports and Leisure Facilities. The sector’s clear commitment to aquanale and to Cologne as a location underlines the importance of the trade fair as an indispensable hub for business, networking and communication. In Cologne, solutions and trends for a successful future will be presented, commercial relationships strengthened and ground prepared for the establishment of new business at an international level. What impact has the coronavirus pandemic had on the market for private pools and wellness facilities? Which developments are shaping the industry? And what do customers today want? For the sectors of the economy that revolve around water, many of these questions will be answered during the fourday event as aquanale will present an A to Z of the market for swimming, sweating, health, beauty and wellness in a showcase that covers both the private and the public segments. Alongside home swimming pools and wellness escapes, the trade fair also represents the approximately 6,000 public pool facilities and 2,000 sauna facilities in Germany, as well as the roughly 3,500 pools in hotels and more than 2,000 pools in communal living facilities. The industry gathering is accompanied by the International

www.swimmingpoolnews.co.uk 27/06/2021 12:58