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BREAKING NEWS: Baselworld cancelled

In taking the decision, managing director Michel Loris-Melikoff also departs after three years in the role.

Baselworld 2022 will not go ahead, an announcement from organiser MCH Group confirms this morning.

Telling the industry it needs more time, MCH Group announced this morning that “the Baselworld planned for spring 2022 will not take place.”

In taking the decision, managing director Michel Loris-Melikoff also departs after three years in the role.

The official announcement said: “This decision is based on the experience from the pop-up event at the Geneva Watch Days and after intensive discussions with manufacturers and retailers.”

Beat Zwahlen, CEO of the MCH Group, said: “In the last few months we have dealt intensively with our watch, jewellery and precious stones ecosystem and gained important insights from discussions with important industry representatives.”

He continued: “The market for this kind of platform that brings medium-sized and specialized manufacturers together with independent retailers is there, but it also needs need to be analysed more closely. We have to take a lot more time to do this.”

In the coming months, an interdisciplinary team from the MCH Group says it will analyse the target segments and work closely with manufacturers and retailers to deepen their marketing and transactional needs.

It says the aim is still to create “added value for the business activities of the community in their target markets” with the Baselworld brand.

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On the departure of managing director Mr Loris-Melikoff, MCH Group commented: “In a short time, Mr Loris-Melikoff managed to gain access to the industry and gain its respect. He initiated and helped shape the necessary transformation and repositioning of Baselworld.

“The MCH Group regrets his decision and thanks him for his tireless efforts, wishing him all the best in his future engagements.”

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1 Comment

  1. It makes sense that MCH digs in deeper to understand if and how a reincarnation of Baselworld makes sense for all stakeholders, and if it is financially feasible. Granted, the world has changed, how we do business, how we invest resources in our respective businesses, but would the demise of Baselworld’s 100+ year run been avoided (or prolonged) if it were not for the wholesale overpricing of the venue on exhibitors and the host town on attendees? Thoughts anyone?!

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