Tire Cologne: No murder in the city park

Tire Cologne: No murder in the city park

Only bad news is good news. They say. And accuses the media of constantly providing negative news. Of course, as a journalist you know: “No murder in the city park” is simply not a good headline. Because – thank God – that is the norm in Vienna’s green spaces. The murder, on the other hand, is the spectacular exception and therefore worth reporting.

Which brings us to Tire Cologne. The international tire trade fair is scheduled to take place in Cologne from May 24th to 26th, 2022. As planned. This was just announced to the media. A zero report?

Well, not quite. Because in times of Corona, murder is, if you will, the rule, which is admittedly a very unfortunate comparison. The point is simply that the exception has become the rule. In the case of trade fairs, this is a cancellation. It is practically on the agenda. Just recently, for example, AutoZum was postponed for another year.

And so the headline is “ Tire Cologne should take place as planned "Then it's somewhat remarkable and therefore also newsworthy. And what's more, it's good news. 

“Digital Fatigue”

“Trade fairs are of enormous importance right now for the restart of the respective industries – as a source of inspiration and catalyst,” says Oliver Frese, Managing Director of Koelnmesse. “We are well prepared and our safety and hygiene concepts have already proven successful in autumn 2021, for example at Anuga with 4,500 exhibitors and 70,000 visitors.”

For Stephan Helm, Chairman of the BRV (Federal Association of Tire Trade and Vulcanization Trade), Tire Cologne plays a crucial role: “We are confident that 'The Tire Cologne' can shake the industry out of 'digital fatigue' and that the revived personal exchange between trade fair participants on the industry platform will give the industry new, positive impulses in a market environment that continues to be challenging."

Meanwhile, Anish Taneja, President and CEO of Michelin Northern Europe, confirmed the global player's participation in the trade fair. According to the organizer, Continental, Falken, Hankook and Pirelli have also registered. Around 300 companies and brands from over 30 countries are currently expected in Cologne to present their products and services at The Tire Cologne, the full name of the event, in 2022.

The date at the end of May also gives more hope for an improvement in Covid-19 matters than would have been the case, for example, at the two Austrian industry events. The already mentioned AutoZum would have been planned for March, the Wieselburger KLS Fachtage even at the end of January. The latter were postponed until autumn. Nevertheless, we still have to keep our fingers crossed for Cologne. Because a trade fair that takes place is not only enjoyable in the sense of a personal exchange. It would also mean that some peace has returned to the Corona front.

In short: May a cancellation like the murder in the city park soon be the exception again and therefore more spectacular news than the announcement that a trade fair is taking place as planned. Those were the days when there was no need to doubt the latter.