Here are some key figures of what to expect
+ Baselworld will only have 600-700 exhibitors in 2018 (2017: 1300)
+ The exhibition area will be reduced by about one-third
+ The duration of the Mass will be shortened from 8 to 6 days
+ Booth rental will be reduced by 10%
The fact that the fat years are over in the watch industry has become apparent since long. Sales losses, digitization and new distribution channels forced the people responsible at Baselworld to rethink. Already in summer 2015, for the first time, concrete ideas were made about how Baselworld should be led into the future, says trade fair spokesman Christian Jecker.
Only half as many exhibitors
The fair was surprised, however, that the drop would come so fast and so radical. Just 600 to 700 exhibitors will come to Basel in 2018. That's half as much as in the 2017 edition, which in turn had to make a huge dent in comparison to previous years.
Reduced exhibition space
Less exhibitors = less space.
Accordingly, the exhibition space is reduced by a third. Among other things, the top floor of the new exhibition hall is not occupied.
Duration cut
In addition, the duration of Baselworld will be reduced from eight to six days. And for the stand rental, exhibitors have to pay 10 percent less.
DIOR and HERMES already canceled their appearance. However, the big players/4top-brands did not. Nevertheless the question arises why Switzerland, as a comparatively small country on our planet, still manages to hold two trade fairs on watches within just a few weeks. The one in the south - the SIHH in Geneva - and a little later the bleeding Baselworld, only 250 km further north. A new concept is due.