What is happening after the end of Baselworld? The next five-day Live Show in Basel, from 8 to 12 April 2021, has been officially announced, which MCH declares aligns with Watches & Wonders Geneva, which has not yet lifted its secrecy about the dates (but it is easy at this point to predict them).
According to the information we at L'Orologio have received from some of the potential exhibitors contacted by the MCH Group over the last few days, and according to the official press release issued today, the most important retailers and journalists will be invited to the event (for the first time, in a formula that seems to be based on that of Watches & Wonders), and the watch industry will be concentrated in Hall 1.
What's new, then, is that HourUniverse aims to be a networking and experiential event, with pop-up shops, workshops, themed exhibitions, collectors' corners and vintage sales areas, lectures and debates streamed live for brands and exhibitors, start-ups and suppliers of new technologies. This new approach is also accompanied by a new policy of competitive offers in terms of prices for exhibitors and visitors, it seems (although from the price list released yesterday it does not appear that the drop is substantial).
At the same time, a global digital business and networking platform was again announced, which will be active all year round. It is unique in its kind and will unite reality with virtual for the first time in the watch, jewellery and gemstone industry. HourUniverse, transcending boundaries and restrictions, aims to bring together the industry community in the broadest sense of the term, offering a new form of interaction between customers, vendors and all players in the sector: a space to share information, content, hold livestreaming conferences or seminars, but also to launch new products.
We shall see.
