Construction to alter future BaselWorld dates
April 02, 2008
By Mary Wisniewski
Basel, Switzerland—Due to construction that will modernize the existing Exhibition Centre Basel, future dates of BaselWorld will be slightly affected, show organizers announced today.
René Kamm, chief executive officer of BaselWorld organizer MCH Swiss Exhibition (Holding) Ltd., said BaselWorld shows from 2010-2012 will be affected by the "Exhibition Centre 2012" project, which has reached considerable progress and is now at the planning permission stage.
Construction on the exhibition center will be made in two phases; however, BaselWorld dates will continue to be held between mid March and early April, according to
Jacques Duchene, president of the BaselWorld Exhibitors Committee.
Specifically, future BaselWorld shows will be held as follows:
2009: March 26 to April 2
2010: March 4 to March 11
2011: March 24 to March 31
2012: March 29 to April 5
Duchene said these dates are fixed, subject to circumstances arising from any agreements or appeals relating to the construction project "Messezentrum Basel 2010."
Due to the architects and planners, Duchene said BaselWorld will be held at the beginning of March in 2010 as a way to ensure that the opening of the renovated exhibition center can occur in March 2012.
The construction will result in a more compact and self-contained venue as well as an enlarged exhibition area.
Specifically, the exhibition area is expected to almost double in size, with hall heights of about eight to 10 meters (about 26 to 33 feet). Kamm said this will help accommodate more multi-level stands while reducing the overall exhibition hall from 160,000 square meters to roughly 150,000 square meters (from about 1.7 million square feet to 1.6 million square feet).
Architects Herzog and de Meuron will develop the exhibition center.
"With this project, we will create the necessary infrastructural requirements to ensure that the watches and jewelry sectors continue to enjoy excellent conditions for their foremost event here in Basel—both for exhibitors and visitors," Kamm said
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