Tag Archives: Nuremberg toy fair

Spielwarenmesse 2022 cancelled

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Following the cancellation of Toy Fair New York, there was more disappointing news for the international toy sector today with the announcement that the 72nd Spielwarenmesse International Toy Fair in Nuremberg, Germany, will not be taking place.

After weeks of speculation, organisers Spielwarenmesse eG confirmed that the show, slated for 2–6 February, is officially cancelled. As an alternative, exhibitors, specialist retailers and media representatives can meet up on the Spielwarenmesse Digital platform.

“We have fought hard to be able to hold the live event and we received strong support initially from toy markets worldwide,” said Christian Ulrich, Spokesperson of the Executive Board at Spielwarenmesse eG. “A large number of suppliers without international distribution networks appealed to the organisers even in December to continue with the fair, which is so important to international business.

“In the last few days, conditions have been deteriorating and, due to the rapid growth of the Omicron variant, the situation with the pandemic is now markedly different. In response to this a large number of Spielwarenmesse exhibitors, out of concern for the health of their teams, cancelled their stands. The Spielwarenmesse thus no longer looked capable of providing its customary broad overview of the international toy market. A further complication was that it was no longer possible to plan ahead with any certainty because it was possible at any time that the event could be cancelled by the authorities.

“We regret having to make this decision and are grateful to everyone who remained committed to a physical trade fair to the very end,” concluded Ulrich.

A multifunctional platform is available both for exhibitors and for visitors: thanks to Spielwarenmesse Digital, they will still have networking opportunities and the facility to discover the latest trends, within the original timetable of the trade fair.

Spielwarenmesse Summer Edition cancelled over prolonged pandemic problems

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Organisers of the Nuremberg toy fair, Spielwarenmesse have confirmed the cancellation of the show’s first Summer Edition, a postponed edition of this year’s show that was scheduled to take place this July.

The fair had been moved from its traditional January slot in order to beat the restrictions in place at the hands of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Spielwarenmesse eG had pulled out all the stops to provide the industry with a suitable networking platform this year.

However, following the unrelenting uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus pandemic both on a national and international level, the organisers have decided to pull the plug on the event to to focus on Spielwarenmesse’s 2022 show.

The resolution was passed at the supervisory board meeting on March 25th.

Ernst Kick, CEO Spielwarenmesse eG, stated: “Initially, we received excellent feedback about the Summer Edition from both exhibitors and visitors. In recent weeks, however, the disappointingly slow improvement in the pandemic has been fuelling uncertainty across the industry.

“Our top priority remains the health and safety of all our participants.”

The lack of political perspective with regard to trade fairs has had a considerable impact on the ability of exhibition organisers to make firm plans and for international manufacturers and buyers to schedule and book their travel and accommodation.

‘Despite the measures already set in motion, it would be impossible to stage the Spielwarenmesse Summer Edition successfully without having the all-important run-up to the fair clearly mapped out,’ read a statement from the organisation.

The group has stated that from now on, all energy will be channeled into the regular Spielwarenmesse which is scheduled to run from February 2nd to 6th next year and will take place in conjunction with Spielwarenmesse Digital, a platform that – for the first time in the show’s history – will link the experience of the live show in Nuremberg with the virtual world.

“We’re receiving such a positive response from across the board. The market players cannot wait to get together again in February. And we’re very much looking forward to welcoming everyone back to Nuremberg for the 72nd Spielwarenmesse,” concluded Kick.

GB eye grows European presence with new office and largest showcase to date at Nuremberg Toy Fair

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The poster and gift supplier, GB eye Ltd is expanding its European presence with the opening of its new office and the launch of its new giftware product ranges.

Operating from its first overseas office in Antwerp, Belgium, GB eye Europe BV will now allow the company to enhance its trade relationships – many of which have been establish over the last 30 years  – and bring them closer to key customers and new markets.

As part of its focus on engaging with European customers, GB eye is exhibiting for the fourth time at the International Toy Fair in Nuremberg this year, with its largest investment in stand space and widest presentation of product on display to date.

The firm will be presenting its latest ranges across its pan-European licensing portfolio, including Pokémon, Dragon Ball, PlayStation, Bravado, Fortnite and a host of Warner Bros. properties, directly to trade retailers and distributors.

The company’s investment in on-trend and pop culture innovations is further complemented by a new eco-range, set for launch in Q2. The hotly anticipated range includes a collection of reusable responsibly sourced tote bags, drawstring bags and drinks bottles to compliment the recently launched carabiner mugs.

Danny Whiteley, international sales director at GB eye, said: “This will be our fourth year exhibiting at Nuremberg Toy Fair and it has fast become a key date in the calendar in terms of significantly growing our European footprint.

“Coupled alongside our new European office based in Antwerp, this show comes as part of an exciting time for everyone at GB eye and I’m happy to say that we are set to have a very strong show, with the appointment calendar already looking full to bursting.”

Charlie Chester, managing director at GB eye, added: “Opening GB eye Europe BV will help us to deliver on our aims and expand on our pan-European licence portfolio, this strategy and the launch of our eco products in 2020 means we have a busy and exciting year ahead.”