Reed Exhibitions cancels in-cosmetics Global, North America and Latin America shows – some 2021 dates set

The 2020 date for in-cosmetics Asia will be maintained, with the show still set to go ahead in Bangkok, Thailand on 3-4 November.

in-cosmetics Global now scheduled for April 2021​

in-cosmetics Global was initially scheduled to take place March 31 – April 2 in Barcelona. Following two initial postponements​ (to June and then October) as the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis unfolded, the European-based cosmetics tradeshow will now be held 13-15 April 2021.

In a press statement issued today, Cathy Laporte, portfolio director at Reed Exhibitions, said the decision to postpone in-cosmetics Global to next year was in consideration of attendees.

“Over 80% of in-cosmetics Global attendees are international, from countries at different stages of the global pandemic and with varying government advice and travel restrictions,”​ Laporte said.

A decision had also been made to hold the 2021 show in Barcelona, rather than Milan as initially planned, to ensure “minimum logistical impact for all participants”.​

in-cosmetics Latin America now scheduled for September 2021, in-cosmetics North America cancelled​

in-cosmetics Latin America was initially scheduled to take place this September but had now been pushed back a year to 22-23 September 2021.

Laporte said: “With the COVID-19 pandemic worsening across the Americas, we do not consider it safe at this stage to organise a face-to-face exhibition.”​

in-cosmetics North America, initially scheduled for this coming October, had been cancelled entirely with no 2021 date yet set.

in-cosmetics Asia to go ahead in November 2020​

in-cosmetics Asia would still go ahead on 3-5 November this year, given the “improving COVID-19 situation in Asia”,​ Laporte said.

Business recovery in the region and ongoing discussions to re-open borders for business travel meant Reed Exhibitions “as it stands”​ had no plans to postpone or cancel this event, she said.

“We will implement health and safety measures recommended by WHO and local authorities,”​ she said, with the wellbeing of attendees and exhibitors “at the heart”​ of all decisions made.

Given the raft of 2020 show cancellations, Laporte said Reed Exhibitions would hold a virtual event in October this year to help connect industry in Europe and the Americas.

Industry frustration over 2020 tradeshows​

In May, the European Federation for Cosmetic Ingredients (EFfCI) published an open letter​ calling on tradeshow and conference organisers to cancel all 2020 events, stating industry could not work with so many postponed events taking place in a short space of time. It also said most of its members did not feel confident 2020 shows were appropriate or safe.

The European Organization of Cosmetic Ingredients Industries and Services (UNITIS) echoed these sentiments in a separate open letter​ calling on tradeshow organisers to cancel all 2020 events and remain sensitive to the reality and constraints facing industry.

In its open letter to organisers, UNITIS said “cosmetics cannot live in a bubble” ​and should follow in the footsteps of other industries who had already “led the way”​ by cancelling 2020 events.

Along with in-cosmetics Asia, the annual SEPAWA Congress is another big tradeshow still set to go ahead this year in Berlin at the end of October. SEPAWA Organisers said they would implement “a maximum of health and safety measures”​ at the show.