08-05-2020
The MCH Group, organiser of Baselworld, announced yesterday the cancellation of its coming edition which was once postponed to January 2021. New business platforms will be examined, it says.
According to the statement of 7 May, the show management and the exhibitors have reached an agreement on the settlement for the cancelled fair. “I welcome the constructive attitude of the representatives of the MCH Group, which has enabled us to find a balanced solution,” said Hubert J du Plessix, president of the Swiss Exhibitors’ Committee. “I would also like to thank Patek Philippe, Rolex, Tudor, Chanel, Chopard, Hublot, Zenith, and Tag Heuer, who, in a spirit of solidarity with the sector as a whole, have agreed to a lower refund so that the other exhibitors can benefit from better conditions,” he continued.
Bernd Stadlwieser, CEO of the MCH Group, said: “We are pleased to have worked together and, in just a short time, found a solution that is acceptable to everyone. In the light of the large loss of revenue due to COVID-19 and our responsibility to all our stakeholder groups, this solution marks the limit of what is possible for us. With the amicable settlement for Baselworld 2020, we can now concentrate fully on the future.”
Baselworld’s managing director Michel Loris-Melikoff said: “We will be taking [making] a decision on possible follow-up formats by the summer and will then provide information on the new concept and scheduling.”
Traditionally held in April, the world’s largest watch and jewellery fair has moved its 2020 schedule to 28 January – 2 February 2021 due to the spread of the novel coronavirus. The new arrangement sparked discontent among show participants due to the fact that the new dates overlapped with that of Vicenzaoro January and the gem fair in Tucson. The discord was fuelled by the controversial refund policy and the unilateral decisions made by the show management without consultation.
The departure of Rolex, Patek Philippe, Tudor, Chanel and Chopard announced on 14 April had dealt a heavy blow to the century-old fair. (Photo courtesy: Baselworld)
← Back