Bauma ConExpo Africa officially cancelled. Hopes for the Italian Asphaltica and Oil&nonOil in late November

Bauma ConExpo Africa, the leading trade fair for the construction sector in Sub Saharan Africa, has been officially cancelled due to the evolution of the pandemic. As a matter of fact, Messe Muenchen South Africa, organizers of Bauma ConExpo Africa, have announced that this key pan-African trade show for construction, building material, mining, agriculture & forestry machinery and vehicles, will not take place in 2021 as planned. The event had been scheduled to be held in Johannesburg, South Africa, from October 13 to 16, 2021.

These are the words spoken by Suzette Scheepers, CEO of Messe Muenchen South Africa: «Due to the challenges the industry is facing, and uncertainty in the market around the Covid-19 pandemic and associated travel restrictions, the bauma CONEXPO AFRICA advisory board concluded that we could not guarantee the international stature and the usual return on investment of this show in 2021».

Bauma ConExpo Africa: why not in 2021

Messe Muenchen Germany and industry stakeholders have expressed concern that South Africa is currently one of the most travel restricted areas in the world, with more than 120 major restrictions from other countries in place and strict post-travel quarantine rules in place. In addition, most European countries were back under strict lockdown, making it challenging for travellers to leave their countries. «Our goal of delivering an optimal event experience to both exhibitors and visitors would have been challenged by the current uncertain situation», explained Mrs Scheepers.

Asphaltica and Oil&nonoil scheduled in November 2021

It’s a very uncertain time for exhibitions all over the world (last but not least, Agritechnica 2021 was postponed a couple of weeks ago). However, vaccinations and – hopefully – the summer seasons are supposed to make the whole situation a bit better, at least in Italy. Here, two exhibitions have recently announced a joint event in the city of Verona. From 24 to 26 November, 2021, Asphaltica and Oil&nonOil will preaumably be held simultaneously at the Verona Exhibition Centre. The new trade fair will include an entire value chain, from infrastructures to fuel distribution and mobility services.

The two events in November will be attended in-person. This is thanks to the safe business protocols implemented by Veronafiere and validated by the technical-scientific committee, health authorities and Aefi (the national association of trade fair organizers), and already successfully tested during Oil&nonOil 2020.