It's official: this year's SPS automation technology industry get-together will take place. This was announced by Mesago Messe Frankfurt on July 23, 2020. After the Bavarian state government approved the protection and hygiene concept for trade fairs in Bavaria, Mesago had to submit the protection and hygiene concept for SPS to the local authorities. Approval has now been granted and numerous exhibitors have already confirmed their participation for SPS 2020 from November 24 - 26.

Comprehensive protection and hygiene concept

"The top priority is the safety and health of all exhibitors, visitors, service partners and employees," says Sylke Schulz-Metzner, Vice President SPS at Mesago Messe Frankfurt. Together with NürnbergMesse, a comprehensive concept has been developed that takes organizational, hygiene and medical measures into account.

The organizational processes around the exhibition are designed in such a way that a minimum distance of 1.5 m can be maintained at all times. Other measures include the obligation to wear a face covering in the indoor areas of the trade fair, an adapted catering concept and sufficient space in the entrance and waiting areas in the halls. There will be no ticket sales on site; visitors must register in advance via the ticket store.

Compared to the same time last year, the exhibition space and the current number of exhibitors are slightly lower than last year, according to the trade fair organizer. This underlines the importance of the trade fair for the industry, summarizes Schulz-Metzner: "What trade fairs are for the economy, automation is for the industry - one of the most important drivers. The SPS is an integral part of the automation specialists' diaries and we are all very much looking forward to the personal exchange at the end of the year in Nuremberg."

Digital addition to the SPS 2020

In addition to the face-to-face event, SPS 2020 will also continue to develop digitally. This will offer users who are unable to travel or can only be on site for one day the opportunity to participate. In addition to digital product presentations, this also includes the availability of contact persons. This enables a quick and comprehensive exchange between exhibitors and trade visitors in the digital environment. Virtual matchmaking also offers a wide range of options for a search function and communication with exhibitors. The live and on-demand transmission of numerous program items from the supporting program is also included.

Voices on the SPS 2020

Christian Wolf: "There is no substitute for a personal conversation."

Christian Wolf, Chairman of the Exhibitor Advisory Board and Managing Director of Turck

© WEKA Trade Media

Christian Wolf, Chairman of the Exhibitor Advisory Board and Managing Director of Turck, adds: "Digital communication has been dominating our activities for months. This is an ideal tool, especially in times when many of our customers are also working from home. Despite the many possibilities that this approach opens up for us, there is one point that is somewhat neglected: the direct exchange with the customer. These direct discussions are very important to us. They help us to build or deepen long-standing relationships and position ourselves as a global partner in order to develop optimal solutions for our customers' digital transformation and challenges. In my view, there is therefore no substitute for a personal meeting at a trade fair such as SPS in order to achieve the optimum business result for the customer and Turck. I am confident that with the safety concept that has now been approved, we can look forward to a trade fair highlight in November that will be different from previous trade fairs, but will take the entire industry one step further."

Roland Bent: "But what we are increasingly lacking these days are impressions and inspiration (...)."

Exhibitor Advisory Board member Roland Bent, Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Phoenix Contact

© Phoenix Contact

Exhibitor Advisory Board member Roland Bent, Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Phoenix Contact, confirms: "In recent months, we have all learned to switch our communication to digital media. Information and facts can be conveyed in a very focused and structured way. This makes digital communication very efficient, but always selective and selective. What we are increasingly missing these days, however, are impressions and inspiration through experiencing new concepts, constructive and trusting dialog in face-to-face meetings. This is the strength and benefit of trade fairs. Especially in these times of major transformations in our industry and society, these important aspects that promote creativity and innovation are crucial for competitiveness and future viability. We are therefore looking forward to SPS 2020, even if it is taking place under difficult circumstances, but with a responsible concept that prioritizes the health of visitors and exhibitors."

Gerhard Borho: "SPS is a key trade fair for Festo."

Exhibitor Advisory Board member Gerhard Borho, Board Member Finance/Information Management and Technology, Festo

© Festo

Exhibitor Advisory Board member Gerhard Borho, Board Member Finance/Information Management and Technology, Festo, emphasizes the importance of SPS for the industry: "For Festo, SPS is a key trade fair where we can showcase our cross-technology innovative strength: From machine axis mechanics and electronics to digitalization and artificial intelligence, we offer everything from a single source. As in our core business of pneumatics, we have also focused on seamless connectivity from the workpiece to the cloud during product development in the field of electrical automation. We look forward to showing our new products to visitors to the SPS 2020 trade fair."