The organizers behind Spielwarenmesse are gearing up to keep attendees safe as the much-anticipated toy industry trade fair prepares to open its doors next year.
The 72nd Spielwarenmesse International Toy Fair is set to take place Feb. 2-6, 2022, in Nuremberg, Germany, and Spielwarenmesse eG says it’s been working with local health departments to craft a robust array of safety protocols for the event. The news comes just as the latest concerning COVID-19 variant — dubbed Omicron — has begun to spread globally.
“The hygiene concept we have developed with the health authorities and venue operator NürnbergMesse will ensure that the Spielwarenmesse is held under safe conditions,” says Christian Ulrich, spokesperson for the executive board of Spielwarenmesse eG. “Thanks to the generous hall layouts and continuous supply of fresh air, the circumstances are comparable to those in retail. Overall, the number of attendees [anticipated] in the exhibition center today is 80% of that of the last event held in 2020.”
According to Ulrich, more than 1,800 exhibitors from 64 countries have reserved space for the event.
“The fall in exhibitor numbers is partly attributable to travel restrictions in Asian countries,” Ulrich says.
As it stands now, Spielwarenmesse will only be open to those who are fully vaccinated or recently recovered under the “2G” concept. No tickets will be sold onsite and COVID-19 testing will be offered at the exhibition center.
