Inhorgenta 2022: Watch and jewelry fair postponed to April

As a well-known trade fair for watches and jewelry , Inhorgenta 2022 is to take place again in physical format. The period from February 11 to 14 was initially planned, but in view of the pandemic situation, the major event was postponed. The Munich Inhorgenta 2022 will now open its doors on April 8 and is scheduled to last until April 11.

Inhorgenta and Watches & Wonders: Two trade fairs in one week

The new dates for Inhorgenta 2022 are not set in stone due to the unpredictability of the pandemic's development. It cannot be ruled out that another postponement could become necessary.

But the organizers are confident: In all likelihood, the incidence rates will fall into spring, so the chances of Inhorgenta taking place in April are good. Anyone who was already looking forward to the renowned trade fair can now indulge in anticipation a little longer and can expect to probably be able to attend the event in April. However, the change in date not only leads to changed plans for the excited visitors, but also presents a challenge for the exhibitors.

Because: The Inhorgenta and Watches & Wonders trade fairs now fall on the same week. Specifically, Watches & Wonders will take place from March 28th to April 5th - the last day of the trade fair will be the first day of Inhorgenta. For retailers, this means a jam-packed trade fair week with no "breather". Visitors who do not want to miss either event should also plan early to fit in a visit to both events this week.

However, in terms of target group and product portfolio, Inhorgenta and Watches & Wonders are not in direct competition: While Watches & Wonders is known to primarily serve the luxury class, the range on offer at Inhorgenta is in the more affordable mid-range segment.

Trade fair feeling and networking despite the pandemic

Now, one might of course ask why the organizers decided to hold Inhorgenta 2022 in person and not digitally. On the one hand, there is probably a need for an "analog" event including personal networking options and on-site product inspection, as the last Inhorgenta trade fair took place at the beginning of 2020, two years ago.

On the other hand, past events, such as the IAA Mobility 2021, show that it is quite possible to hold large events in times of corona, provided the hygiene concept is correct. In principle, according to the management of the Munich watch and jewelry fair, Inhorgenta could also have been held on the previously set date in February. However, international visitors would then have been at a disadvantage due to current travel restrictions. This is the main reason for moving the event to April.

Program and exhibition at Inhorgenta 2022

Inhorgenta 2022 includes a wide variety of exhibitors on around 65,000 square meters of space in a total of six halls. Hall A1 is particularly interesting for watch lovers: This is where major brands, such as Sinn Spezialuhren and Mühle Glashütte, as well as newcomers to the industry present their new products and innovative products. In the other halls, the theme concept is more geared towards jewelry, with the focus on jewels, diamonds, pearls, precious stones and contemporary jewelry. A special feature is the hall with the theme "Technology & Bijoux", where everything revolves around technology, shop design and workshop construction - shop owners and jewelers in particular are in good hands there.

The major event is framed by an informative supporting program in the Trendfactory Munich with numerous exciting contributions and seminars by international experts. There is plenty of room for effective networking and constructive discourse with industry experts from all over the world. Another highlight of Inhorgenta 2022 will take place on April 9th: During a gala in Munich's BMW Welt, this year's winners of the Inhorgenta Awards, which have been part of the Inhorgenta trade fair for five years, will be announced and honored with an award.

Inhorgenta protection and hygiene concept

In order for Inhorgenta 2022 to be held in a legally safe manner, a comprehensive safety and hygiene concept is of course essential. This distinguishes between visitors and exhibitors. Exhibitors require 3G proof without exception in order to be allowed to present their products on the exhibition grounds, while the 2G-Plus rule will probably apply to visitors.

Anyone who wishes to enter the site is obliged to wear an FFP2 face mask and must be able to prove in advance that they meet the 2G-Plus requirements. The exhibition grounds also use an optimized ventilation concept with a high proportion of outside air and a low proportion of recirculated air. This should also contribute to the safe implementation of the major event in Munich.

Adapted conditions for withdrawal and cancellation

Good news for everyone who already has Inhorgenta tickets: These are of course also valid on the newly scheduled event days. Anyone who does not have the time to visit the trade fair in April can simply submit their tickets and receive a full refund. And the cancellation and withdrawal conditions have also been refined for exhibitors.

If you cancel without giving a reason, you only have to pay 25% of the participation fee and if travel restrictions make it impossible to attend the trade fair, you can withdraw without any problems. These concessions and special regulations ensure that the suboptimal planning security caused by the pandemic does not lead to visitors and exhibitors staying away "just to be on the safe side" because they are afraid of spending money on a trade fair that cannot take place after all.

Under these conditions, it remains to be hoped that Inhorgenta 2022 in April will be able to build on the success of the events of recent years and become a worthwhile event for visitors and exhibitors alike.