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Messe Dortmund opens its doors again to welcome visitors and exhibitors to InterTabac and InterSupply in September.
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InterTabac and InterSupply are making the comeback of the year this September with record numbers of exhibitors and visitors expected.
Germany removed all Covid-19 restrictions across the country. Since the beginning of April, organizers in North Rhine Westphalia can hold trade shows, concerts, and events without restrictions and open to the public at large. Also eliminated are visitor limits, requirements to wear face coverings, and compliance with the country’s ‘3G’ (vaccinated, tested, or recovered) and stricter ‘2G’ rules.
“We are delighted to be able to offer people the experience of attending superb big-name trade shows once more – with immediate effect – especially with a view to international highlights such as the twin shows InterTabac and InterSupply,” said Sabine Loos, managing director of Messe Dortmund operator Westfalenhallen Unternehmensgruppe. “There is no longer anything stopping people engaging face-to-face in a physical location, and that’s something the entire industry is looking forward to.”
Especially for international visitors to InterTabac/InterSupply, the world’s largest trade show for tobacco products and smoking accessories (taking place in Dortmund September 15-17), the end of Covid-19 restrictions means a less complicated journey and a more relaxed time in Dortmund. Wearing face coverings and observing ‘3G’ and stricter ‘2G’ rules are no longer neces-sary. Westfalenhallen Unternehmensgruppe maintains some key basic hygiene measures, however, with disinfectant dispensers located throughout the event area and with state-of-the-art ventilation systems running in the exhibition halls.
“We are appealing to exhibitors and trade visitors to apply their sense of responsibility to others, and to continue to observe social distancing,” said Loos. “Beyond that, though, no restrictions are planned.
Travelling to Dortmund will also be less complicated for visitors now that the German government significantly eased entry regulations there. Germany classifies no country in the world as a Covid-19 risk area, so quarantine and registration obligations are over. Travelers from within the EU need only produce evidence of being fully vaccinated, a negative rapid lateral flow test result (maximum 48 hours old), or evidence of recovery from a Covid-19 infection (where such infection occurred during the last 90 days). When it comes to vaccines, Germany accepts all vaccines licensed in the EU. A person is fully vaccinated if they received at least two vaccination doses with at least 14 days having passed since the final dose.
Trade show exhibitors and participants may also enter Germany from countries outside the EU. There are no restrictions for vaccinated travelers. Un-vaccinated travelers must provide evidence of their participation in the show in order for the journey to be considered a strictly necessary busi-ness trip. Business visas from countries with visa requirements are still necessary.
Improved supporting program
Among other things, the InterTabac and Inter-Supply organizers once again strengthened the supporting program for what is rightly regarded as the comeback of the year. This year, informative seminars and talks cover retailing, production, conventional tobacco products, and NGPs. The keynote talks and conference sessions will keep specialist retailers abreast of these important topics and give opportunities to interact and exchange ideas. Participants will also learn about the current legal fundamentals that need to be observed.
“This is, of course, only one aspect – albeit an important one – of a diverse program that’s being co-designed by many renowned industry players and experts, thus delivering a lot of added value,” said Loos.
In addition to the comprehensive information on offer, there will also be plenty of opportunities to indulge the senses, with products available to be felt, tasted, and smoked at any time during InterTabac. In addition, cigar tastings and pairings are on the agenda once again, with experts applying unusual combinations to create entirely new taste experiences for their trade audiences. Also, training courses will be held, allowing employees of specialist retailers to learn first-hand how to recognize good products.
For over 40 years, InterTabac, the world’s largest trade show for tobacco products and smoking accessories, has been held at Messe Dortmund and is the place where trade visitors meet top decision-makers in the retail, manufacturing, and service sectors, with exhibitors from home and abroad informing audiences on all the latest products and trends in the tobacco industry. These international credentials are key to the central role the twin shows InterTabac and InterSup-ply play as a business and communications platform – indeed over 40% of visitors come from abroad. Last time, InterTabac and InterSupply set a new visitor record, clocking up 13,800 visitors in 2019. After two postponements due to Covid-19 the twin shows will make a big comeback this autumn/fall.
The latest information, exhibition highlights, and news items are available on the trade show websites (intertabac.de, intersupply.de), the online platform Business Insights (business-insights.intertabac.de), LinkedIn (linkedin.com/company/intertabac) and directly via newsletter (intertabac.de/presse/presse-kontakt, intersupply. de/presse/pressverteiler).