Amsterdam’s annual marine trade show Metstrade has been cancelled due to continued disruption around the coronavirus pandemic.
A statement released by show organisers and venue RAI Amsterdam announced the cancellation of the show, which was due to take place from November 17-19, 2020. It is the first time in 32 years the show has been cancelled.
Organisers announced that Metstrade 2021 will take place from November 16-18 at RAI Amsterdam.
The cancellation comes despite the venue working “tirelessly to adapt all its facilities and protocols to enable events to be held in a safe, responsible and hospitable manner,” organisers said.
Despite these efforts, it was decided that the expected “high-quality” show with “valuable face-to-face contacts with visitors” could not be guaranteed.
Metstrade’s maritime director Niels Klarenbeek described the cancellation as “a tough blow” but added that “this is the only right decision we could make.”
Executive vice president exhibition and sales of RAI Amsterdam, Bas Dalm, added: “RAI Amsterdam has been hit hard by the current global crisis. We have remained hopeful about the continuation of Metstrade until the very end but the global situation has not improved significantly.”
He added: “Although this decision hurts the entire leisure marine industry, it is the only right decision at this given moment.”
Members of the International Council of Marine Industry Associations (ICOMIA) have supported the decision.