Last Monday we informed you that, in response to the latest press conference, we would make a decision regarding LabNL 2021. With this email we would like to inform you that the FHI board has decided to cancel LabNL 2021, scheduled from September 28th to 30th.
Last June, the board members of our organizing association FHI had the hope and expectation that the 1,5 meters distancing-measure would be withdrawn at the end of September. And that we could offer a safe fair without 1,5 meters based on the Corona Check app. Unfortunately, this was not the result from the press conference.
Due to the ongoing corona measures and the uncertainty surrounding the duration of these rules, we can’t offer our members and exhibition participants a good exhibition experience. In particular, the rules surrounding the 1,5 meter distancing-measure causes too many restrictions on the exhibition floor. Think of widening aisles to 6 meters wide or more, or using one-way traffic in the aisles and limiting the number of visitors to your stand. In addition, this measure raises the threshold for a successful exhibition visit.
The next decision from the government whether to withdraw the 1,5 meter measure will be too late (September 13th). Thorough preparation for a successful trade fair participation is then no longer possible. Additionally, this uncertainty has a negative impact on visitor numbers.
In consultation with the Jaarbeurs, the exhibition organization is currently looking at the possibility to move LabNL to November or the first two weeks of December 2021. Your vote is important in that process. Would you let us know via this link whether you intend to participate in LabNL when it takes place in November or December? Deadline for completing this survey is Friday, August 27th, 2021.
Exhibitors who have registered for LabNL 2021 will keep their stand (and stand position). We expect to inform you about possible rescheduling of the fair in the week of August 30th. Until then, you don’t have to do anything with your current registration.
Of course we are very disappointed that the fair will not take place in September. We thank you for your understanding and wish you all the best.
Kind Regards,
FHI, Federation of Technology Branches
Linda Bos
Deputy director fairs