APEX and IRE shows cancelled for 2021

BV Industrial Promotions International (IPI) and KHL Group have taken the decision to cancel APEX and the International Rental Exhibition (IRE) this year because of the ongoing impact of the health pandemic. Both shows were originally scheduled for summer 2020, before being delayed to September last year and then June 15-17, 2021.

The two exhibitions will now be held in 2023, which was the next scheduled year for the events.

The European Rental Association (ERA) convention, which was due to take place on 16 and 17 June alongside IRE and APEX, will still be held either as an online or hybrid conference. The European Rental Awards, jointly organised by KHL and ERA, will be on 16 June and in the same format as the ERA convention.

The announcement does not impact on the APEX Asia exhibition in Shanghai, China, which will take place as planned on 26 to 29 October, 2021.

The decision to cancel the shows has been taken after consultation with authorities in the Netherlands and the MECC venue in Maastricht, as well as informal discussions with exhibitors.

Tony Kenter, Managing Director of IPI, said; “It is of course with enormous regret that we take this decision. We are pleased to see the vaccination programmes being implemented around the world, but given the current lockdowns, and with no guarantees on when travel and event restrictions will be lifted, we were left with little choice but to cancel.

“We thank all the APEX and IRE exhibitors and our association partners ERA and IPAF for their cooperation and patience over the past year. We now look forward positively to an improving economic situation in the coming months and years, and in confidence that APEX and IRE will return successfully in 2023.”

James King, Chief Executive of KHL Group, said; “Taking the decision now, well in advance of the June dates, will give exhibitors and visitors certainty in their planning. No exhibition organiser wants to cancel a show, but it is the right thing to do. We will come back with strong APEX and IRE events in 2023.”

The European Rental Association will communicate further regarding the format of its annual convention in June and of the European Rental Awards, which is jointly organised with International Rental News. The Convention and the rental awards will still go ahead.