PR85884

NUREMBERG, Germany, Sept. 30, 2020 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

- Spielwarenmesse eG's supervisory board announces decision

- Persisting COVID-19 pandemic triggers postponement

The Spielwarenmesse at Nuremberg's exhibition centre traditionally opens its

doors at the beginning of the year. Scheduled to run from 27 to 31 January

2021, the event has been called off in good time as a direct result of the

persisting COVID-19 pandemic. For the first time in its long history, the

world's leading toy fair has been postponed until the summer by organiser

Spielwarenmesse eG. The decision was made by the supervisory board on 24

September and comes in the face of rising infection rates and further

restrictions on travel.

A short-term solution to the global challenge of COVID-19 is not yet in sight.

The new change in circumstances and concerns over the health of all

participants make it almost impossible to stage the Spielwarenmesse and

guarantee the customary level of quality at the end of January. Many countries

around the world are currently experiencing a dramatic increase in the number

of COVID-19 infections, leading to new travel restrictions also in major

European cities. These developments are casting doubt among exhibitors and

visitors over whether they should be taking part in an international trade

fair. This uncertainty has been voiced in intensive discussions with the

Spielwarenmesse team.

Ernst Kick, CEO of Spielwarenmesse eG, stated: "We very much regret the

decision to postpone the Spielwarenmesse 2021." Preparations for the 72nd event

in January were already well under way. Based on the guidelines of the Bavarian

State Government, the Health & Hygiene Concept drawn up in collaboration with

the local health authorities and venue operator NurnbergMesse, was well

received by all participants. "I'd like to thank everyone who joined us on this

path, and I feel sure that the improvements we have made will benefit all

future events and appearances," concluded Mr Kick.

Spielwarenmesse eG is currently in talks with NurnbergMesse to find a suitable

date for the Spielwarenmesse 2021. In the meantime, the website at

www.spielwarenmesse.de will continue to provide exhibitors, retailers and

buyers, as well as media representatives with a large offering and a plethora

of information about the toy industry. The digital platform is continually

being expanded as an extra service and a complement to the physical exhibition

experience.

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Spielwarenmesse eG

Spielwarenmesse eG is the fair organizer and marketing services provider for

the toy sector and other consumer goods markets. The Nuremberg company

organizes the world-leading Spielwarenmesse(R) in Nuremberg, Kids India in

Mumbai and Insights-X in Nuremberg. The range of services provided by the

cooperative also includes industry campaigns and the international fair

programme, World of Toys by Spielwarenmesse eG, which enables manufacturers to

exhibit at pavilions featured at trade fairs in Asia and Russia.

Spielwarenmesse eG operates a worldwide network of representatives in over 90

countries. It also has several subsidiaries, including Spielwarenmesse Shanghai

Co., Ltd., responsible for the People's Republic of China and Spielwarenmesse

India Pvt. Ltd., covering the Indian market. The cooperative holds a majority

stake in the Russian exhibition company Grand Expo, which organizes Kids Russia

in Moscow. Die roten Reiter GmbH subsidiary with headquarters in Nuremberg

works as communication agency for the consumer and capital goods industry. The

complete company profile of Spielwarenmesse eG can be seen on the Internet at

www.spielwarenmesse-eg.com.

Spielwarenmesse(R)

Spielwarenmesse, the leading international fair for toys, hobbies and leisure,

is 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. The presentation of new

products and the extensive industry overview provide a valuable pool of

information for annual market orientation for around 65,000 buyers and toy

traders from more than 130 nations. Spielwarenmesse(R) has also been a

protected word mark in Germany since 2013.

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Source: Spielwarenmesse eG