Last week, the NürnbergMesse announced that they were finally postponing the IWA Outdoor Classics slated to take place later this week due to concerns about Covid-19 that is spreading more quickly in Europe. Governments are banning large gatherings to help slow down the spread of virus as it spreads through close contact with an infected person. It is a worrying situation, but not something that people should panic about as governments mobilise resources to stop this virus that originated from China.

With the postponement, many are wondering when it will be held, especially the exhibitors and trade visitors who have already spent time and money preparing for the event. It did not take long for as the organisers finally have announced that the new dates will be 3-6 September as seen in this press release:

2020 Presse: New date 2020 for IWA Outdoor Classics

In view of the increasing spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) and taking into account the principles for risk assessment of major events adopted by the crisis management group of the German government and the current recommendation of the Bavarian State Government for international exhibitions, NürnbergMesse has decided to postpone

IWA OutdoorClassics 2020 to Thursday, 3 September until Sunday, 6 September 2020.

For the planning reliability of all exhibitors, visitors, partners and media: IWA OutdoorClassics will continue to take place in the period at the beginning of September in the following years, and no longer in the previous period at the beginning / middle of March.

EnforceTac / U.T.SEC 2020 will take place Tuesday, September 1 and Wednesday, September 2, 2020.

The protection of the health and safety of exhibitors, visitors and employees is a top priority for NürnbergMesse. In awareness of this responsibility and after careful consideration and evaluation of the current situation, the Management Board of NürnbergMesse has decided on this necessary protective measure.

Petra Wolf, Member of the Management Board of NürnbergMesse: "We expressly thank all customers, partners and media representatives for the understanding they have shown regarding our decision to postpone IWA OutdoorClassics 2020. We are pleased about the high level of commitment in the industry –  after intensive deliberations and numerous positive discussions with national and international customers, we have chosen the new date at the beginning of September also for the following years".

Photo: IWA Outdoor Classics 2019 (NuernbergMesse / Thomas Geiger)

The implications for this is that those who have been going to Nuremberg every March will have to get used to September as this month will be followed in the next years. For companies who already made other plans in this month either will need to find room for this, cancel their other plans, or just plan for 2021.

Even with these new dates, we are still not sure if it is a safe bet that by that time the Covid-19 virus has burned itself out. But we have to be optimistic that it will be over by then and that the world has gone back to its normal routine. Right now the only thing we can do is act normally, not to panic, and go about our daily lives whilst following advice from credible source and health authorities.

And oh by the way, we might as well prepare for the IWA Outdoor Classics 2020, again.