Switzerland is banning large events, and that means GIMS.
Car companies, journalists, show attendees, and car fans around the world woke up to some disappointing news from Switzerland earlier today. According to Switzerland’s Federal Council and Geneva International Motor Show organizers, GIMS 2020 is officially cancelled because of the coronavirus. The Swiss Government put a ban on events that have a forecasted attendance greater than 1,000 attendees.
The Geneva International Motor show has attendance numbers hovering around 700,000 over its ten day show so that’s essentially a no-go.
According to the Swiss government,
An extraordinary meeting of the Federal Council was held today, 28 February. In view of the current situation and the spread of the coronavirus, the Federal Council has categorised the situation in Switzerland as ‘special’ in terms of the Epidemics Act. Large-scale events involving more than 1000 people are to be banned. The ban comes into immediate effect and will apply at least until 15 March.
In a statement from GIMS organizers,
…the dismantling of the event will now have to be organised. The financial consequences for all those involved in the event are significant and will need to be assessed over the coming weeks. One thing is certain: tickets already purchased for the event will be refunded. The organisers will communicate about this as soon as possible, via their website.
Looking back at GIMS history, the last time the show was cancelled was for WWII, and before that, the show stopped between 1907-1923, coinciding with the First World War. So, this is the third time the show’s been cancelled for any length of time.
Some fans of the show wondered if show organizers would postpone the show until a later date but show organizers confirmed that that was not going to happen. If and when the Coronavirus situation improves, the show will return next year.
"The show cannot be postponed. It's not possible. It's too big. In September, October? It's not feasible" pic.twitter.com/E1IYREUwNY
— Nick Gibbs (@NickGibbs) February 28, 2020
This is the first major international auto show cancelled to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus and, if the situation worldwide does not improve, might set the tone for future auto shows in 2020.
Although unfortunate news, this is a necessary precaution to stem the tide against the coronavirus. Can you imagine how devastating it would be for Europe and the rest of the world if the Coronavirus caught a second wind during the show and, after the event, everyone flew back to their respective homes? It would not be good.
We bemoan the loss of the Geneva International Motor Show this year but there will be others.
Now, let’s see how car companies react.
