Covid-19 rears its ugly head again, as both AGHA and Reed Gift Fairs have had to readjust their gift fair schedules for 2021.
Originally slated for 19 to22 February, AGHA released a statement early this year announcing they were cancelling the fair due to ongoing Covid concerns.
“The AGHA board reluctantly wish to announce that due to continued community based Covid-19 cases in Sydney, and the various state border closures, it has become necessary and prudent to cancel the 2021 Sydney Gift Fair at Sydney Olympic Park in February,” the statement reads.
“Whilst the fair could potentially operate under the current NSW Health guidelines, it is unlikely that the usual number of exhibitors and buyers would be able to attend. This would result in a less than optimal outcome for the event and all those participating.
“The decision to cancel has not been made lightly. The health and safety of all staff, exhibitors and buyers is paramount to AGHA and is the only responsible outcome given the current circumstances.”
A few weeks later Reed Gift Fairs released a similar statement but instead of cancelling it is moving its fairs to April.
In the statement the organisers say it has become clear that the recent outbreaks are having an impact on community sentiment.
“Prior to these recent outbreaks of Covid-19, we were optimistic that Reed Gift Fairs Sydney would run safely and successfully next month. While we continue to have permission to operate the event under our detailed Covid-safe plan with the venue and NSW government, with many of our community based interstate, border closures now mean they may be unable to attend in February.
“As a result, Reed Exhibitions has taken the difficult decision to revise the show timing and with this in mind, we will be moving Reed Gift Fairs Sydney to the new dates of 17 to 20 April 2021, co-located with Life Instyle at the ICC Sydney.”
A recent survey shows there is definitely a need for a Sydney show this year, with many respondents indicating April as their preferred month.
“Not only does it give us another eight weeks for the current pandemic conditions to come under control, it also does not sit too far outside the traditional buying period for many of our customers,” Reed says.
