GENEVA - The INDEX 20 exhibition has been postponed until September 7–10, 2021 following continued concerns over the spread of coronavirus.
After the original March date was cancelled, industry association EDANA initially rescheduled the exhibition for October of this year.
However, as a result of the ongoing uncertainty and the continuing ban on gatherings of large numbers of people in Switzerland, the co-organisers Palexpo and EDANA, have been reviewing the best course of action.
In particular, the Organisers acknowledge that the latest developments of the worldwide Covid-19 situation are not yet leading to a normalised situation e.g. extension of confinement periods, no visibility concerning the reopening of international borders and/or international transportation, increasing expert opinions anticipating a negative evolution, etc.
"The safety of all INDEX 20 attendees remains the organisers' paramount concern," EDANA said in a statement. "Whilst Palexpo and EDANA sincerely hope that the ravages of the virus will have abated by the end of the year, the organisers are unable to guarantee that the very significant on-going disruptions will have been resolved by October 2020.
"Palexpo and EDANA consider it is their duty to ensure that the industry’s leading nonwovens event takes place under the best possible conditions. As such, the protection of exhibitors and visitors is the primary concern, in order for all attendees to meet, network and conduct new business together, as they have in past editions.
"As a result, also taking into account various exchanges with the INDEX 20 stakeholders, it appears that there are obvious imperative reasons to postpone INDEX 20 and the organisers have no other choice than to reschedule INDEX 20 once again.
"In the interim, the organisers strongly recommend that everyone continues to follow the sound advice of the national health authorities to protect, as much as possible, all people around the world from Covid-19, and the organisers look forward to warmly welcoming all the attendees to Geneva in September 2021.
Palexpo and EDANA remain available for any further information that may be required.
Please consult the INDEX website and the EDANA website for any updates.
