The Shenzhen International Toy & Educational Fair, after a five-month delay, took place last month. To my knowledge, this was the first person-to-person trade event to take place since the beginning of the Coronavirus onslaught. The Baby & Stroller China and Licensing China shows took place concurrently under the same roof.
I have a particular interest in this event. For the last two years I have co-produced the show’s “World of Play Forum” in conjunction with the Messe Frankfurt. Sadly, like so many things in 2020, the forum was postponed until next year.
The show itself did take place. Although largely limited by travel restrictions to Chinese exhibitors and attendees it appears to have exceeded expectations.
There were 1,321 exhibitors showing products to 61,533 attendees. The show, which took place in the brand new Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center, stretched out over 1.5 million square feet.
I was told that exhibitors and attendees were surprised that the show drew as strongly as it did. Attendees were surveyed, and I am told that 92 percent of them expressed themselves as satisfied with the experience.
Next year’s show will return to its original dates of March 30 – April 1 2021. I’ll be there and I. hope you will be as well.
