Fair company MCH scraps Baselworld watch exhibition in 2021
07/05/2020 06:42
ZURICH, May 7 (Reuters) - MCH Group MCHN.S has canceled
its Baselworld watch exhibition in 2021, the trade exhibition
company said on Thursday, a further blow for the event that was
once one of the watch industry's top showcases.
Rolex, Patek Phillipe and Chanel had previously said they
not exhibit at the industry showpiece that had been due to take
place from January 28 to February 2. urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nL5N2C265R
Swatch Group UHR.S , the owner of Tissot, Longines and
Omega brands, had left Baselworld in 2019.
"Together with the exhibitors and visitors, we are working
intensively on clarifying and discussing the requirements and
options for new platforms," said Michel Loris-Melikoff,
Baselworld's director. "We will be taking a decision on possible
follow-up formats by the summer."
MCH said it has also reached agreement with some of the
exhibitors to refund them for the canceled 2020 event.
Hubert du Plessix, president of the Swiss exhibitors
committee lauded Patek Philippe, Rolex, Tudor, Chanel, Chopard,
and LVMH owned-brands Hublot, Zenith and Tag Heuer for agreeing
to a reduced refund so the other exhibitors could benefit from
better conditions.
(Reporting by John Revill)
((John.Revill@thomsonreuters.com; +41 58306 7022; Reuters
Messaging: john.revill.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))