High End 2021 cancelled – new date May 2022
When HIGH END SOCIETY Service GmbH, as organiser of the High End in Munich, scheduled the High End 2021 for September, the euphoria in the industry was great. At that time, the High End 2021 could be the first major trade fair to bring something like normality back into the industry. But now it has to be cancelled again because the situation is still too uncertain.
The HIGH END 2021, which was planned to take place from 9 to 12 September 2021 in Munich, will be moved to May 2022 due to the continuing uncertain development regarding the corona pandemic. The HIGH END SOCIETY Service GmbH has decided to do this after reassessing the current situation in close consultation with the board of directors of the HIGH END SOCIETY e.V..
As a result, the leading international audio trade fair will once again open its doors at the Munich MOC in the spring from 19 to 22 May 2022 as usual. The IPS – International Parts + Supply, which is planned parallel to the HIGH END, will also move to the date in the new year and will thus celebrate its premiere on 19 and 20 May 2022.
The organiser sees the need for this early action at this point in time, despite the fully booked halls and atriums of MOC and a carefully prepared hygiene and infection control concept.
“We prepared very well and were convinced that the HIGH END and the new IPS could take place in autumn despite the changed conditions.”
Stefan Dreischärf, Managing Director of HIGH END SOCIETY Service GmbH
He very much regrets that the relocation will once again extend the waiting time for the annual highlight of the industry for all hi-fi fans.
“Nevertheless, we have to act with foresight in order not to lose the confidence of our exhibitors. At the moment, we assess the situation as very uncertain in view of the sluggish development worldwide. The risk for a cancellation at short notice simply remains too high.”
Stefan Dreischärf, Managing Director of HIGH END SOCIETY Service GmbH
Since the containment of the pandemic is not developing as quickly as hoped so far, no one can currently foresee whether an international trade fair can actually be held satisfactorily in September. Stefan Dreischärf and his team always do their utmost to ensure that exhibitors find optimal conditions for successful business when planning and implementing their fairs. In addition, the organiser still sees it as his responsibility to protect the health of everyone involved and to ensure planning security.
With the prospect that next year the current measures will be significantly relaxed and global travel is expected to be possible again without restrictions, nothing will then stand in the way of a carefree trade fair experience in May 2022.
Getting to the point
Yes, the euphoria was great, the wish that the High End 2021 in September of this year could be the first major trade fair in a long time was quite understandable, at least until March 2021. Gradually, however, this gave way to the realisation that the current situation will probably make it impossible to actually hold the fair in Munich in September, even with strict adherence to appropriate hygiene concepts. Thus, as was the case last year with the High End 2020, the High End 2021 has now also been cancelled.