Craft Focus - December 2020/January 2021 (Issue 82)

31 PROFILE In view of the current situation caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and the associated international travel restrictions, Messe Frankfurt has decided to cancel the coming edition of Creativeworld and, for 2021 only, to offer it in digital format within the framework of the Consumer Goods Digital Days from 17 th to 20 th April, 2021. As a special exception, the team will bring together Christmasworld, Paperworld and Ambiente under the heading International Consumer Goods Show – Special Edition from 17 th to 20 th April, 2021. This physical event will be supplemented for the first time by the digital programme of the Consumer Goods Digital Days, which will also host the purely digital offers of Creativeworld. For further information visit: https://paperworld.messefrankfurt.com/ an d https://creativeworld.messefrankfurt.com/ in the creative sector and some production and supply chains were interrupted, which has caused the industry to take a step backwards. However, I believe that this negative influence will only be short-lived and that the creative sector will emerge from the crisis stronger. Should buyers feel confident about buying for 2021 and beyond? We must continue. We all continue to face an uncertain future and wonder how long the virus will continue to exist or whether we will have to live with it in the future in general. I therefore believe that we need to move towards a New Normal as soon as possible. That is why orders should continue to be placed with as little restriction as possible in order to achieve economic success for 2021 and the years after. Moreover, trading is more than ever called upon to create new marketing opportunities. What measures is Messe Frankfurt putting in place to keep visitors and exhibitors safe in their showground? Messe Frankfurt has developed a comprehensive protection and hygiene concept that is being used at the Frankfurt exhibition grounds. It includes, for example, a continuous exchange of air in the halls, the provision of disinfectant dispensers and similar equipment for the stands and also increased cleaning of general surfaces such as corridors, stair railings etc. On the stands, exhibitors must maintain a hygienic distance of 1.5 metres – we are happy to support them in this respect, for example with signage or Plexiglas partitions, which we offer. To ensure the minimum distance, we naturally plan with wider aisles. Tickets can also be purchased without contact. The safety of exhibitors and visitors is our top priority. What trends can we look forward to in the world of craft and stationery in 2021? The trends have a lot to do with the current situation – and are catalysts for the topics of sustainability, recycling, upcycling and care for the environment we live in. Nature plays a decisive role in the trends for both crafts and stationery. Recyclable materials are moving into focus and sustainability is actively lived. I think that manufacturers will follow this overarching trend and we’ll see many products made of wood or recycled paper. In the creative sector, the processing of products plays a major role, one key point here is upcycling. This is not a new trend, but it’s spreading to many areas around living and working.