IMEX Frankfurt 2020, one of the world's most important trade fairs in the meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (Mice) industry, has been cancelled.

Organisers of the event released a statement stating that factors beyond their control have forced them to make this reluctant decision.

The event was scheduled to take place from May 12-14 in Frankfurt, Germany.

The move follows the recent order of German federal and state advisories to cancel events with over 1,000 people as part of measure to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

"Whilst only a short time ago we felt optimistic that May was far enough away to confidently proceed with our plans, as it stands today [March 11] we cannot guarantee the one thing that our exhibitors trust us above all else to deliver – namely a large-scale, high quality hosted buyer programme," IMEX Group’s chairman and CEO, Ray Bloom and Carina Bauer said in the statement.

"Despite the disappointment and impact we know you will feel, we want you to know that we’re fully committed to serving this industry that we love. We’re already working hard in the background to deliver value and service above and beyond the trade show you were looking forward to and will announce these plans in the near future," they said.

"The IMEX team will also be working hard to deliver a successful IMEX America (15-17 September) with plans to recognise the 10th Anniversary of the show already in full swing. We hope that the business events world will join us in Las Vegas to celebrate our great industry."

"Once again, we thank the whole industry for the support that has been shown to us and we are here to support others in the industry as we all work through these difficult times," they said. - TradeArabia News Service