The PSI Show, Europe’s largest promotional products trade show, will be held in Düsseldorf, Germany, on January 12-14, 2021. It will run concurrently with viscom, the international trade show for visual communication, and PromoTex Expo, the international trade show for promotion, sports and workwear.

“After lockdown, the retail economy urgently needs to start finding markets again,” says Petra Lassahn of show organizer Reed Exhibitions and director of the three trade shows. “Trade fairs are one of the best tools for kickstarting an economic recovery and can provide a vital signal for a new beginning. Especially when working together as a team, the three fairs can provide an urgently needed stimulus required for revitalizing the industries in the short and medium term.”

Lassahn adds, “Together with representatives from the relevant authorities and Düsseldorf Exhibition Centre, we are compiling a detailed hygiene and safety concept that will protect all participants from a possible risk of infection during the fair.”

The three fairs are being completely restructured in January to ensure maximum safety. There will be more emphasis on the themes of product sourcing, sustainability, technology and community in four halls. A key part of the planning involves guiding visitors more transparently through the fair as well as deciding on just how exhibitors will be able to present their products and services to the public. Michael Freter of Reed Exhibitions Germany and Managing Director of PSI says, “We need to work with the utmost flexibility because circumstances can change on a daily basis at the moment.”

As well as new hygiene and safety practices, other changes will also be made regarding show planning. The PromoTex Expo will move closer to PSI again, with exhibitors from the world of textiles being represented in all four exhibition halls in 2021.

“We would like to promote any synergies where they exist,” says Lassahn. “That is precisely what these three shows exemplify in the world of sales and advertising. We will also focus even more strongly on the topic of sustainability at the textile fair because this is something that sets us apart from other textile events and also attracted a lot of attention and support in 2020—partially thanks to our collaboration with the Federal Ministry for Economic Co-operation and Development with their new ‘Green Button’ certification.”

A second section of PromoTex Expo is moving to Hall 12, where viscom is also being held. The focus will be on production, alongside an exhibition of different materials, while experts will also be onsite to answer any technical questions relating to equipment or software.