The show’s organiser, Reed Exhibitions, announced the news today at a press conference at the start of the 2019 show, saying the decision was not driven by the need for expansion, but that the show’s current home was to undergo building works, forcing the move.
BCB event director Petra Lassahn told DI that the new site would see a small increase of exhibitors to 500 with visitor numbers expected to be around 18,000. She said the move would offer “an opportunity to redesign BCB”.
Lassahn said it was unclear if the show would return to Station Berlin, but that it seemed likely ExpoCentre would be the show’s home for the foreseeable future.
Angus Winchester, the show’s director of education, who joined Lassahn at the press conference, said that it was important for BCB that new venue would be aligned with the traditions of the show. “BCB does cool and funky, ” he said.
The 2020 show, which will run from October 12-14, will also include the new concept City Life Spirits, which is said to “reflect the urban life of modern Berlin”, through "architecture, content and interaction at the show".
Each exhibition hall will be a "hub of activity reflecting the trends of big-city life", turning BCB into an urban market, a French bistro and a community bar, offering co-working spaces, a rooftop bar and the BCB Lab. Transit zones will be turned into "vibrant areas" with late-night convenience stores, coffee bars, exhibitions and musical performances.
Lassahn said: “The new venue reflects the Golden Twenties in the Funkturm, the 1930s look in the exhibition hall architecture, and the charm of the 1950s in the Palais – this atmosphere is very important to us. It also give us the opportunity to introduce City Life Spirits. The BCB and Berlin are inseparable for us, and this new concept will unify the show and the city’s character, bringing Berlin’s urban spirit to the exhibition halls.”
The 2019 show
This year the show is expected to attract 14,000 visitors from 80 countries across its three days.
There will be 446 exhibitors from 48 countries, of which 70% will be from outside of Germany. Gin, liqueurs and rum are the most dominant categories at the show, said Lassahn.
Ian Burrell, global rum ambassador, has partnered with BCB to run the House of Rum, with a dedicated stage offering talks and tastings from worldwide rum experts.
BCB has also made Mauritius the country of honour this year, with eight exhibitors presenting their brands at the House of Rum.
