Geneva Motor Show 2020 Dibatalkan Kerana COVID 19

Beberapa hari lalu ada laporan bahawa sesetengah jenama kereta telah menarik diri dari Geneva Motor Show ke-90 dan beberapa yang lain hanya membenarkan kakitangan bukan eksekutif untuk hadir. Sekarang ada berita bahawa ianya dibatalkan terus.

Adakah ini permulaan banyak acara automotif yang akan dibatalkan dalam beberapa bulan akan datang di seluruh dunia dan juga Malaysia? Mungkin ya dan ianya lebih baik berbuat demikian untuk mencegah keraguan tentang masalah kesihatan.

Langkah ini akan merugikan industri hotel, makanan dan minuman Geneva kerana Geneva Motor Show ini membawa ribuan pelawat, eksekutif perdagangan dan media setiap tahun ke bandar ini. Tempahan untuk hotel, hiburan dan makanan biasanya dibuat sekitar 8-12 bulan lebih awal untuk mendapatkan yang terbaik untuk para tetamu pertunjukan itu sebagai jenama automotif melihat untuk menghiburkan media dan rakan niaga pada acara automotif pertama setiap tahun.

Geneva Motor Show ini bukan yang terbesar dari segi saiz, tetapi ia sentiasa menjadi yang terbesar dari segi kehadiran jenama kerana ia merupakan pameran pertama setiap tahun perniagaan.

KENYATAAN MEDIA GENEVA INTERNATIONAL MOTOR SHOW: 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 decision 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.