While optimism was high that the fairs would go ahead this February, the recent Covid-19 Omicron outbreaks have made it extremely difficult to plan for such large-scale events.
Originally scheduled for 19-22 February, Reed Exhibitions has made the decision to postpone both Reed Gift Fairs Sydney and Life Instyle Sydney to 9-12 April 2022.
Although Reed Gift Fairs currently has permission to operate the event under its detailed Covid-safe plan with the venue and NSW government, many exhibitors and retailers have expressed their health, safety and travel concerns.
“We do currently have permission to run the event in February, however, we have spoken with and surveyed our exhibitors and the retail community to get a holistic representation of our industry sentiment right now, and it is clear that the large majority are concerned about their health, as well as travel disruptions and the potential impacts of being isolated away from their families and businesses,” says Cory McCarrick, event director for Reed Gift Fairs.
“With cases expected to surge over the coming weeks and throughout February, we have made the decision to go for the much safer option and postpone to April.”
While this will be disappointing news for all concerned, the new dates in April will provide an additional seven weeks for conditions to improve, whilst still sitting as close as possible to the traditional buying season, allowing both exhibitors and attendees alike to travel and attend events with more confidence to achieve their business objectives.
“Buyers will still be able to discover, touch and feel products from Australia’s premium and emerging wholesale brands, but with an additional seven weeks for conditions to improve, they can do so feeling much safer and with less chance of travel disruptions or the risk of being forced into isolation,” explains Flyn Roberts, event director for Life Instyle, which again will be co-located with Reed Gift Fairs at the ICC in Sydney.
McCarrick adds that they always had this contingency plan in place to ensure they can offer those brands that wish to exhibit the best opportunity to reach buyers in a safe environment.
“Our exhibitors have been included in the decision-making process and we have offered full refunds to any exhibitor that has decided that the April event is not suitable for them.”
Although the impacts of Covid-19 have been around much longer than anyone anticipated, the organisers emphasise that it is imperative that we all continue to work together.
“Yes, this is another bump in the road for our industry, but we know from the energy and positivity radiating across the show floor at last year’s Sydney event, this resilient community thrive best through face-to-face connection and exhibitions will continue to be an important part of the retail supply chain as we continue into the future,” says Roberts.
