The Cologne edition of FIBO, the world's largest trade show for fitness, wellness and health, has been postponed to the second half of 2020, due to concerns around the Coronavirus.

The event was scheduled for 2-5 April 2020.

FIBO attracts over 145,000 people from 135 countries, as well as 1,000 exhibitors, and industry companies have been increasingly concerned about issues relating to Covid-19 transmission.

Two major suppliers, Precor and Life Fitness, signalled their intention to bow out of the 2020 event in recent days.

Silke Frank, portfolio director of FIBO Global Fitness Events, said: "This is not a decision we have taken lightly; our customers, partners and the FIBO team worked incredibly hard on this event.

"While it's disappointing to postpone, it's imperative we prioritise the health and safety of everyone involved. Our goal remains to provide the best customer value for everyone attending FIBO."

The European Health and Fitness Forum (EHFF) conference, scheduled to run the day before FIBO, will also be postposed. Dave Stalker, chair of EHFF told Health Club Management "We are partners of FIBO and huge supporters of the event and will work with the FIBO team to reorganise the EHFF conference to run alongside FIBO when its new dates are announced."

In a statement, Reed Exhibitions, the organiser of FIBO said: "We trust that the decision to postpone the show to the second half of the year ensures FIBO continues to serve the fitness industry in the secure and safe conditions needed.

"The FIBO team will communicate with customers and partners over the coming weeks to keep our world of global fitness moving in the right direction during this difficult period and is working with venue, Cologne Messe, to identify the best available dates in the second half of the year."

FIBO's cycle of events is global, with additional trade shows in the USA, South America, Africa, China and a new event due to launch in 2020 in Singapore.

It's not known at this stage whether other FIBO events will be affected, but it's clear 2020 will be no ordinary year for the events industry and likely the current policy will be 'watch and wait', as the world grapples with the virus.

As global media partner to FIBO, members of the HCM team sends their very best wishes to the FIBO team at this challenging time.