Messe Berlin – the organisers of ITB Berlin – confirmed yesterday (June 1) that the trade show would be held as a live event from March 7-9 next year.
Adapting to a post-COVID environment, Messe Berlin is planning a number of changes next year to mark the first in-person edition of ITB Berlin since the pandemic began.
Head of ITB Berlin, David Ruetz, explained that, instead of running from a Wednesday to a Sunday, ITB Berlin 2023 would take place on three successive days mid-week (Tuesday to Thursday).
“The demands placed on global trade fairs have changed considerably in recent years, which is why in future and in terms of customers, ITB Berlin is concentrating its efforts to focus on exhibiting companies as well as exclusively on trade visitors, buyers and the media,” said Ruetz.
As in previous years, the internationally renowned ITB Berlin Convention will take place live in parallel with the exhibition on the Berlin Exhibition Grounds, with selected sessions live-streamed on itb.com. Virtual services surrounding the live show will round off events.
“By positioning ITB Berlin exclusively as a B2B product we want to make the format future-proof and further significantly enhance the brand as a global catalyst of the tourism industry,” noted Ruetz.
“At the same time we are making sure to give our image a necessary boost and improve our existing ties and ability to attract new customers. In the past we have repeatedly observed that the majority of our exhibitors place a clear emphasis on addressing B2B audiences. In future, this move will make it possible to further concentrate their efforts.”
According to Ruetz, the new concept enables ITB Berlin to explore avenues for further developing the trade show and also to target audiences with additional networking opportunities.
Exhibitors will be able to register for ITB Berlin 2023 by the middle of this month. Early-bird offers are available for those who register by August 31. Registrations close on September 30.
Click HERE to watch Ruetz explain the new vision for ITB Berlin.
