The past 24 hours have seen a flurry of activity on the international trade show front as CES gets underway in Las Vegas.
While the toy industry is buzzing about who’s in and who’s out for next month’s Toy Fair New York following a series of high-profile exits — including Jazwares, MGA Entertainment, and others — updates are coming in from organizers of toy and toy-adjacent trade shows and trade fairs overseas.
Spielwarenmesse Issues Updates on International Travel
The German government relaxed travel restrictions for international travelers entering Germany. Spielwarenmesse eG issued a statement confirming that “areas of virus variants of concern” — including the UK — have been downgraded to “high-risk areas.” Attendees that are fully vaccinated or have recovered from COVID-19 are now allowed to enter the country without the need to quarantine. Unvaccinated individuals from high-risk areas are permitted to enter with a negative test result and may have to quarantine for up to five days. and to stay for up to five days.
“We are pleased with this development, which gives interested buyers from the UK the opportunity to visit the Spielwarenmesse,” says Christian Ulrich, spokesperson for the executive board.
The 72nd Spielwarenmesse International Toy Fair is set to take place Feb. 2-6 in Nuremberg, Germany.
AUMA, the Association of the German Trade Fair Industry, is keeping an updated list of requirements at its official site.
Toy Fair UK is a GO
The British Toy and Hobby Association (BTHA) issued a statement confirming plans to move forward with its annual show set to take place Jan. 25-27 at the Olympia in London.
According to the BTHA, the requirements for anyone accessing the halls — including exhibitors, contractors, visitors, and staff — include proof of full vaccination, a negative PCR or Lateral flow test (within 48 hours prior to arrival), or a medical exemption.
Messe Frankfurt Cancels Shows for January and February
The January Christmasworld, Paperworld, and Creativeworld shows have been canceled alongside February’s Ambiente. Messe Frankfurt issued a statement confirming that while its regional show, Nordstil, is still slated to take place this month in Hamburg, Germany, four of its major events will not happen this year.
“This decision was anything but easy for us. However, in agreement with large parts of the industries represented at the fairs, it is now our responsibility to take this difficult step,” says Detlef Braun, member of the executive board, Messe Frankfurt. “The last few months have been characterized by optimism, energy, and ideas to give Christmasworld, Paperworld, Creativeworld, and Ambiente a successful new start after the compulsory break in 2021.”
Braun goes on to confirm that these shows are canceled, and will not be postponed.
“There are no plans to postpone the event,” Braun says. “Since the trend-oriented order cycles of the international consumer goods industry require an annual event at the beginning of the year, a shift to the second half of the year would not meet the needs of the exhibiting companies and visitors.”
The Toy Book continues to monitor developments regarding Toy Fair season in North America and beyond. Additional updates will be published as they emerge.
