With the continued uncertainty around the COVID-19 pandemic and local lockdowns, the MTA decided to consult with its members and exhibitors who had booked a stand at MACH 2021 and gauge their opinion on whether to continue with MACH 2021 in January or carry forward to MACH 2022.
The overwhelming sentiment was that in order to minimise the risks to visitors and exhibitors and to provide the best possible platform for both, the event should be moved to April 2022.
The event will be held in the same halls at the NEC from 4-8 April 2022.
James Selka, CEO of the MTA, said: “We believe that this decision, which has not been taken lightly, is in the best interests of the industry and those who work in it. Our first priority is, of course, the health and safety of the 30,000+ people who will visit and work at MACH.
“In addition, we believe that by moving MACH to April 2022, we will be able to offer a better experience for our visitors, and better value for our exhibitors, rather than holding it in January 2021 with the uncertainty that could still be with us. Add to this the Government’s recent announcement of a pause to the restart of live events, and it was felt that a dateline in April 2022 was a much better option.”
“In the meantime, visitors who planned to attend MACH 2021 to find out about new technology, look for new suppliers and research new trends will be able to utilise the existing MTA digital platforms. In addition, later this year, we will launch a new, virtual platform which we believe will perfectly complement the live show in 2022.”
Mr Selka concluded: “We’re grateful to the NEC for working with us to facilitate this move and we look forward to welcoming visitors to MACH 2022 where they will be able to experience the best of modern manufacturing technology under one roof.”
All exhibitors booked for MACH in January 2021 have been offered the same space at the event being held on the new dates, and the MTA is already in contact with exhibitors to discuss their participation.
