Formnext 2021 Hybrid Event Concept To Feature In-Person Elements

Following a year in which trade fairs all across the world went almost entirely digital, Formnext 2021, a trade fair for additive manufacturing and the next generation of intelligent manufacturing solutions, is promising exhibitors and attendees a hybrid concept for its Nov. 16-19, 2021, event in Frankfurt, Germany, which will feature a parallel conference organized by content partner TCT and supporting digital formats. This also includes flexible planning and reservation options for exhibitors, including an early-bird discount that will be valid until April 16th.

In planning its hybrid concept, Formext organizer Mesago Messe Frankfurt GmbH (Germany) is building on the experience it gathered last year in holding the all-digital Formnext Connect 2020. “The feedback we’ve received from exhibitors, attendees and the exhibitor advisory board has made it clear that a genuine in-person event is essential to this industry. Everyone is longing to visit some real booths and have some face-to-face conversations,” reports Sascha F. Wenzler, vice president of Formnext at Mesago Messe Frankfurt.

As a result, in organizing this year’s event, Mesago’s experts are focusing on the physical aspect. “Digital elements can definitely complement Formnext, but they’ll never replace the real thing,” Wenzler continues. “Like in years past, Formnext 2021 is scheduled to take place at the state-of-the-art facilities on the western premises of Messe Frankfurt.”

Since the health and safety of all attendees remains top priority, the plans for Formnext 2021 are being made on the basis of a health concept that at the minimum meets the corresponding legal requirements. The overall event concept will also be adapted to reflect the latest developments in the pandemic. Here, Wenzler and his team are counting on a positive trend based on the testing and vaccination efforts being made around the world, which should enable more people to undertake business trips as the year progresses.

Further, to provide Formnext’s exhibitors with as much flexibility as possible in their planning, both the related deadlines and the event’s general terms and conditions have been adjusted. In addition to the early-bird discount, exhibitors can, for example, cancel their bookings free of charge until the end of June. In light of the current situation, Formnext 2021 is also offering modified, turnkey booth concepts that make planning an entire trade-fair appearance a simple affair without any major additional effort.

In terms of its subject matter, Formnext organizers say they will continue to focus on the entire process chain involved in industrial 3D printing. “An array of highly innovative companies from the various sectors of this industry can’t wait to present their latest developments to our audience in person,” Wenzler says. “In this way, Formnext can also aid the economic recovery of a lot of areas by serving as a catalyst of innovation.” 

Additionally, to offer a counterpart to the in-person event, the Formnext Digital Days are being planned two weeks after the planned in-person event (Nov. 30-Dec. 1, 2021). “We’re hoping that these two days provide an intriguing digital platform, especially for attendees and exhibitors who can’t make it to Frankfurt in November due to travel restrictions,” Wenzler explains.

Further information on the Formnext concept, options for exhibitors, and the event’s current plans is available at this link.