International Hardware Fair Postponed 

The Eisenwarenmesse—International Hardware Fair (IHF) has been moved to Sept. 25-28, 2022, and will still take place in Koelnmesse, located in Cologne, Germany. Originally set for March of 2022, the postponement to the fall will ensure maximum participation from exhibitors and visitors including vital Asian sales and manufacturing markets. 

Since the pandemic situation continues to develop dynamically worldwide and strict travel restrictions are expected in March, especially for important Asian overseas markets, this scenario is a win-win for everyone: Exhibitors can plan for September with a longer lead time and look forward to the usual international audience. Visitors can look forward to a renowned group of participants and an attractive event program shaped by a high number of exhibiting companies.

The decision to postpone the International Hardware Fair was made independently of the situation of other spring trade fairs in Koelnmesse’s portfolio, which have considerably different exhibitor and visitor structures in some cases. 

“With the Anuga Food Fair and International Dental Show (IDS) in the fall, we proved that trade fairs with Koelnmesse’s hygiene and safety concept are once again possible at an international level and can be carried out safely for everyone. Furthermore, our customers were very pleased with the business activities at these events,” says Oliver Frese, chief operating officer of Koelnmesse. “However, certain industry-specific conditions must be in place to fully leverage the power of personal exchange at an international trade show. In the case of the International Hardware Fair, this power will be significantly greater in September thanks to the participation of the Asian market.”

The Asian manufacturing and sales market plays an important role in the hardware industry. Many Asian countries have identified Germany and large parts of Europe as risk areas due to the generally high incidence figures, and traveling from these countries will be difficult well into spring. Based on the experience from 2021 and as the global vaccination campaign progresses, the situation should look completely different in September 2022.

IHF planned to use informative special exhibitions and theme platforms such as the eCommerce area featuring innovative, disruptive solutions and strategies for retailers in the areas of payment, shop systems, ERP, hosting, search engine optimization and multichannel. 

“Nevertheless, we do not want to just take the plans for March and use them for September: The world simply changes too quickly,” says Matthias Becker, director of IHF. “We will look at the current hot topics in the industry and adapt the plans accordingly.”

IHF was postponed due to the pandemic in 2020 and again in 2021. Learn what IHF looked like the last time it took place in 2018 here.