Geneva Motor Show 2020 Cancelled due to Coronavirus

impact

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Not official but his looks to be cancelled this year as the Swiss have just put a ban on all 1000+ events - several outlets saying its cancelled but the show page doesn't mention it yet.

Was looking at flights a fortnight ago but thankfully lackadaisical in pulling the trigger.
 

Cooper

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I had an email from them last week saying it was going ahead but I think that is optimistic.
Not official but his looks to be cancelled this year as the Swiss have just put a ban on all 1000+ events - several outlets saying its cancelled but the show page doesn't mention it yet.

Was looking at flights a fortnight ago but thankfully lackadaisical in pulling the trigger.
Just got this email literally after I posted:

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THE GENEVA INTERNATIONAL MOTOR SHOW IS CANCELLED!

The 90th edition of the GIMS, which was supposed to welcome the media from next Monday and the general public from 5 to 15 March 2020, will now finally not take place. This is an injonction of the Federal Council of 28 February 2020 that no events with more than 1,000 people are allowed to take place until 15 March 2020. The decision falls 3 days before the opening of the exhibition to the media.

The organizers accept this decision: "We regret this situation, but the health of all participants is our and our exhibitors' top priority. This is a case of force majeure and a tremendous loss for the manufacturers who have invested massively in their presence in Geneva. However, we are convinced that they will understand this decision," said Maurice Turrettini, Chairman of the Foundation Board. We would like to warmly thank all those involved in the organisation of the 2020 edition of GIMS.

A few days before the opening of the event, the construction of the stands was very nearly complete. A week ago, during the press conferences announcing the 2020 edition, there was nothing to suggest that such a measure was necessary. The situation changed with the appearance of the first confirmed coronavirus diseases in Switzerland and the injonction of the Federal Council on 28.02.2020. The event is cancelled due to this decision.

In the meantime, the dismantling of the event will now have to be organised. The financial consequences for all those involved in the event are significant and will need to be assessed over the coming weeks. One thing is certain: tickets already purchased for the event will be refunded. The organisers will communicate about this as soon as possible, via their website.
 
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steaa

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I am flying over next weekend to meet up with a friend, and was for attending the show too while there. Looks like I may find something else to do now
 

Cooper

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Geneva is cancelled for 2021 as well :worried:

The Committee and Council of the Foundation "Salon International de l'Automobile" has today decided on the future of the Geneva International Motor Show (GIMS), the largest public event in Switzerland and has noted as follows:

1. The Foundation will not organise an edition of GIMS in 2021.

2. The loan from the State of Geneva will not be accepted.

3. The sale of GIMS to Palexpo SA is the preferred solution.


Due to the financial consequences of the cancellation of GIMS 2020 by the Federal Council for reasons of force majeure as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, the Foundation responsible for organizing the event has had to make some important decisions regarding the future of GIMS today.


The Committee and the Foundation Board have decided not to organise an event in 2021: A majority of GIMS exhibitors who took part in a survey, stated that they would probably not participate in a 2021 edition in and that they would prefer to have a GIMS in 2022. The automotive sector is currently going through a difficult phase, and exhibitors need time to recover from the effects of the pandemic. Furthermore, it is far from certain that the current health situation would permit the organisation of an event attracting more than 600'000 visitors and 10'000 journalists next spring.


Immediately following the cancellation of GIMS in March 2020, the Foundation requested the Canton of Geneva for financial support to cover the losses caused by the cancellation of GIMS - estimated at 11 million Swiss francs - and to help prepare a new edition. At the beginning of June, the Grand Council approved a loan to the Foundation of 16.8 million Swiss francs. The Foundation thanks the competent authorities of the Canton and State of Geneva for their willingness to grant this loan to GIMS, but does not see the terms of the loan as a guarantee of the long-term financial stability of the Foundation in its present form. The reason for this is that the Foundation would be obliged to make a repayment of 1 million Swiss francs as early as June 2021, before having had the opportunity to generate additional funds, as the GIMS 2021 edition cannot take place. It is also considered inadmissible that one condition of the loan is that an event has to be organized in 2021. The loan is therefore not accepted.


The Foundation has therefore decided in favour of the sale of GIMS to Palexpo SA. The aim is to find a solution that will ensure the regular organization of an International Motor Show in Geneva. The purchase of the assets would transfer all rights to the organization of GIMS to Palexpo SA. As a reminder, GIMS is the largest public event in Switzerland. Its economic impact on the canton of Geneva is estimated at some CHF 200 million per year.
 
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