Citing challenges flowing from the growing Sydney Covid outbreak and the likelihood of more movement restrictions, the organisers of the Gold Coast Gift & Lifestyle trade show have announced they are re-scheduling. Here is an email from the organiser:
A huge kick in the guts !
As you know we have remained committed to run the Gold Coast Gift & Lifestyle Fair, however last night received the biggest kick in the guts delivered at 6pm by the Queensland premier announcing greater Sydney was now not allowed to enter Queensland. This is a total departure from the planned way where people who have visited Hot Spots would not be able to enter various states and the state governments would adhere to. This means 1/3 of the exhibitors confirmed now cannot enter Queensland.
We have spent an enormous amount of money including sending the directory to print as advised this week all which is not covered by any insurance or Government support but more importantly we are genuinely gutted as we just wanted to run the Fair and capture the energy and enthusiasm so many have shared. We have no alternative than to roll the Fair back to August 14-16.
We have selected these dates as we appreciate the Melbourne Fair is late July/early August and there are still challenges around occupancy levels they are grappling with and our feedback is Queenslanders will likely not risk travelling to Melbourne. We also know the New Zealand Gift Fair is held in late August, however the venue this week was placed into Liquidation so we unsure how that may affect that Show. So August 14-16 seems to fit best into the cycle.
We urge you to stick with us, we as a small family business, love the sector and just want to do right by you and the gift community generally, and whilst devasted by the news will bounce back and dig deeper to do an even a better job for you. We are still proceeding with the Town Hall zoom call today.
Gary
I feel for the organisers and all trade show organisers and the challenges the Sydney clusters are presenting.
UPDATE: 11:27AM. The Mid-Year Toy Preview in Sydney has been cancelled:
After much deliberation and given the ongoing developments in NSW, the ATA has unfortunately decided to cancel the 2021 Sydney Mid-Year Preview.
We believe there is far too much of a risk for exhibitors and attendees and it is the responsibility of the ATA to ensure a safe and effective event for all.
We will however be releasing a digital Directory which connects retailers with those members who registered to exhibit, and this will provide the opportunity to conduct meetings via the exhibitors/buyers own online channel. The directory will be sent to registered retailers and published on ATA social media early next week.
To encourage meetings between retailers and exhibitors to still occur, we are also conducting a remote raffle where retailers can win from a prize pool worth over $2,400!
It’s not too late to get involved – if you are interested in participating please reply to this email to have your details passed on to exhibitors.
Please do not hesitate to contact the team via toyfair@austoy.com.au or 03 9320 2600 if you have any queries at all.
And then, a few minutes later, the Fishing and Outdoors trade show for the Gold Coast has been cancelled:
The AFTA Board announces with regret,
that the 2021 AFTA Trade Show has now been cancelled.
The border restrictions put in place by the Queensland Government to Sydney and Greater Sydney meant that too many of our exhibitors would be unable to attend, with no exhibitors, there’s no show.
All monies paid to AFTA for stand space and tickets will be refunded in the coming weeks.
Stay safe and keep an eye on your inbox for details of the show in 2022.