UPDATED: Since this story was posted, Troy Means Business has been rescheduled.
In the wake of international shows being delayed due to concerns over the spread of coronvirus, a number of UK show organisers have moved to confirm they still plan to go ahead.
While the Manufacturing Technologies Association (MTA) has just postponed NEC-set MACH to January 2021, other forthcoming key fastener, tool and related product industry shows are acknowledging concerned enquiries by exhibitors, but insisting they will not change their long planned dates.
Troy Means Business - due to take place at Silverstone next week on 19 March - said it is business as usual with no plans to cancel the show. However, the organiser added: "What we do ask of you, is to be vigilant about who you are sending to the show and what their recent travel history has been."
The 2020 National Merchant Buying Society (NMBS) Exhibition and Gala Dinner runs 21-22 April at Coventry's Ricoh Arena. NMBS said: "We currently have no plans to cancel... we are constantly monitoring developments relating to the virus."
The Toolfair series of events continues this week in Manchester (12-13 March), followed by Exeter (23-24 April) and Harrogate (14-15 May). Organiser Hamerville Media Group said Toolfair exhibitions are taking place as planned. "We continue to follow advice from the Government, the DoH and Social Care and Public Health England... the safety of our visitors, staff and exhibitors is our number one priority and as this is a developing situation, we will continue to monitor and review our security measures to adhere with the recommended advice."
While some UK trade (and consumer) shows are beginning to announce postponements, those events with an international focus have been understandably hardest hit by fears of coronavirus, with exhibitors and visitors piling pressure on organisers to postpone in some cases. Notable delayed fastener and tool related global shows include the Taiwan International Hardware Fair, Cologne's International Hardware Fair, Dusseldorf's wire and Tube shows and Frankfurt's Light + Building. With more industry shows tabled for the latter half of 2020, that list could continue to grow.
NMBS also has its NMBS All Industry Conference in Italy on 18-21 July, which is also planned to go ahead at time of writing.
