In yet another sign that normality is still a long way off, the Spielwarenmesse conference in Nuremberg, Germany scheduled for July has now been cancelled due to “the unrelenting uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus pandemic both on a national and international level.”
Organizers say they’ve decided to cancel the event and to focus instead on a combined online and onsite Spielwarenmesse 2022, now scheduled for February, 2022.
Spielwarenmesse is among the world’s leading international trade fairs for toys, hobbies and leisure, organized by the fair and marketing services provider Spielwarenmesse eG. The trade fair creates a comprehensive communication and ordering platform for 2,800 national and international manufacturers, with attendance reflecting 65,000 buyers and toy traders from more than 130 nations.
“Initially, we received excellent feedback about the Summer Edition from both exhibitors and visitors,” said Ernst Kick, CEO of Spielwarenmesse eG. “In recent weeks, however, the disappointingly slow improvement in the pandemic has been fuelling uncertainty across the industry. Our top priority remains the health and safety of all our participants.”
Kick says the lack of political perspective with regard to trade fairs has also had a considerable impact on the ability of exhibition organisers to make firm plans and for international manufacturers and buyers to schedule and book their travel and accommodation. Despite the measures already set in motion, it would be impossible to stage the Spielwarenmesse Summer Edition successfully without having the all-important run-up to the fair clearly mapped out, he explained.
“From now on, all energy will be channelled into the regular Spielwarenmesse which is scheduled to run from 2 to 6 February 2022 and will take place in conjunction with Spielwarenmesse Digital,” Kick says. “For the first time ever, the organizer will be linking the indispensable experience of the live exhibition in Nuremberg with the virtual world, enhancing the participation of both suppliers and buyers whilst providing them with the best possible service.
“We’re receiving such a positive response from across the board. The market players cannot wait to get together again in February. And we’re very much looking forward to welcoming everyone back to Nuremberg for the 72nd Spielwarenmesse,” Mr Kick concluded.