2020 METSTRADE Show cancelled

The 2020 Marine Equipment Trade Show (METSTRADE), which was scheduled on November 17-19 in Amsterdam, Netherlands, has been cancelled as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. METSTRADE is the world’s largest trade exhibition for equipment, materials, and systems for the international leisure marine industry.

“For more than 32 years, METSTRADE has been providing the most complete meeting place for the global marine industry,” said organizers in a statement. “Due to the consequences of the COVID-19 outbreak, our mission cannot be accomplished successfully, therefore we believe it is the right decision to cancel this year’s show. METSTRADE 2021 will take place on November 16-18 in Amsterdam.”

While the RAI Amsterdam Convention Centre had worked to adapt all its facilities and protocols to enable events to be held safely, it was decided how the event could not guarantee the valuable face-to-face contacts with visitors which is expected from METSTRADE.

“We have worked towards a safe and successful METSTRADE with great dedication,” said Niels Klarenbeek, Director Maritime METSTRADE. “The cancellation of the METSTRADE 2020 show has been a tough blow for my team and I, but listening to the multiple voices in the industry including the Exhibition Committee, ICOMIA, partners and the stakeholders this is the only right decision we could make. Our team is working together with our partners on different virtual ways to connect the leisure marine industry in these tough times.”

The International Council of Marine Industry Associations (ICOMIA) supported the decision to cancel this year’s show. “It has been an extremely tough decision and the COVID-19 pandemic has had a big impact on the industry,” said ICOMIA president Sara Anghel. “ICOMIA endorses the decision of RAI Amsterdam and will cooperate with the METSTRADE team to be the homeport of the industry as soon as possible.”

Show details: https://www.metstrade.com/