Following a tremulous month of announcements, the MCH Group decided not to hold Baselworld 2021, planned for 28 January to 2 February 2021.
In April, Rolex, Tudor, Patek Philippe, Chopard and Chanel had left the show to focus on a new concept in Geneva, closer to Watches & Wonders, which held an online show due to COVID-19. In addition, in Bulgari’s lead, TAG Heuer, Hublot and Zenith (LVMH) also announced their departure from Baselworld 2021.
Hubert J. du Plessix, President of the Swiss Exhibitors’ Committee commented, “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.”
Bernd Stadlwieser, CEO of the MCH Group, added, “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.”
So is this the end of Baselworld? It seems so. However, the MCH Group said it would be taking a decision on possible follow-up formats by the summer and will then provide information on the new concept and scheduling.
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