MUNICH — The international trade show for optics & design, which was planned for 14 to 16 January 2022 at the Fairground Munich, will not take place at the beginning of the year. Uncontrolled rapidly increasing infection rates in the coronavirus pandemic, and changes to government requirements at short notice, also regarding 2G-plus regulations along with visitor restrictions, make reliable planning impossible. The organizer has therefore decided to postpone opti until May. It will take place from 13 to 15 May 2022 (Friday to Sunday) in Munich.

The conditions for a successful and relaxed opti from 14 to 16 January 2022 have changed dramatically for the worse in the past few days, as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. “It is currently impossible to predict whether the situation will ease again by January. Our primary goal was and remains to organize an opti 2022, which promises success for all participants. In this increasingly acute situation, we can no longer guarantee this for the planned time slot of the event,” explained Klaus Plaschka, Managing Director of GHM Gesellschaft für Handwerksmessen mbH.

In addition to the uncontrolled rapidly increasing infection rates, the urgent wishes of the exhibitors have played an equal role in this decision. From the current perspective, it is hardly possible for service providers and employees of opti exhibitors – and also for opti visitors – to plan their participation for January, despite the comprehensive hygiene concept.

Safety concept adapted until the last moment

Up to the very last moment, GHM and the opti team had continuously adapted the safety concept for opti 2022, to create the best possible conditions for a successful industry meeting. The unpredictability has reached its peak, not least with the latest federal and state regulations, and the resulting U-turn regarding the previously applicable government guidelines.

“Just like we were, the exhibitors and opticians alike were looking forward to seeing each other again! Especially in these difficult times, opti remains an efficient marketing platform. Our aim is to reliably enable the exhibiting companies and opticians to achieve economic success – we want to offer the trade show public a great product experience. Until recently, this was possible under the previously applicable conditions. However, all the underlying new facts and developments, taken together, make postponing opti the only sensible course of action. As the trade show organisers, I am sure that the exhibitors and visitors will understand this difficult decision. And all the more, we look forward to seeing everyone again in May,” said Bettina Reiter, director of opti.

opti 2022 will be held from from 13 to 15 May 2022 in Munich, with the same hall concept (four halls, C1 to C4) and the same infrastructure – including the well-known north-west and north entrances, the usual parking facilities and conference rooms.  Registration is open online here.