With this, the salon organizers made no friends in the automotive industry. The criticism of stubborn adherence to the implementation became louder and louder. An increasing number of car companies refused to send their staff and executives to the Palexpo exhibition halls in Geneva next week.
When the Geneva watch fair, which took place much later in the same location, was canceled, the end of the Geneva Motor Show was actually sealed – especially since the large exhibitors behind the scenes had long agreed to stay away from the fair. From well-informed sources it can be learned that exhibitors are said to have given the organizer an ultimatum and have threatened to announce their absence if GIMS 2020 is not officially canceled by midday on Friday.
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Federal Council approved decision
In this respect, the Federal Council made the decision on Friday morning, no longer allowing major events in Switzerland until March 15, to take the decision off the GIMS organizers. And forced them to definitely cancel the Geneva Motor Show 2020. “Unfortunately, today’s Federal Council decision forces us to cancel the 90th edition of the GIMS,” salon president Maurice Turrettini said regretfully at the official press conference. And added: “Of course we accept this Federal Council decision.”
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Late cancellation irritated
The decision to cancel the motor show is not surprising. Only the late timing and the adherence of the organizers to the implementation irritated many of those affected. Because not only numerous exhibitors – some already started dismantling on Thursday – would have stayed away, but also many of the otherwise more than 10,000 media professionals and probably also many of the more than 650,000 expected visitors.
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No chance of compensation
The organizer will be able to live with the cancellation – he should be insured. When asked by exhibitors for compensation, Salon President Turrettini stayed cool and replied at the exhibitor conference: «This is a case of force majeure. I don’t think you would be successful with an action for damages. » And added: «The government in Bern decided that. You can try to sue them. Good luck.” It remains to be seen whether the GIMS President will make friends among the exhibitors with such statements.
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