The fair traditionally takes place in August and includes a dedicated fashion section, in which more than 30 jewellery suppliers exhibit. It had previously been rescheduled to the October dates on 22 May, one week after Melbourne began easing its first COVID-19 lockdown.
On 9 July, the day after the city entered its second lockdown, Reed Exhibitions informed exhibitors and prospective visitors via email that it had cancelled event.
"Prior to the recent escalation of COVID-19 in Victoria, we were optimistic that Reed Gift Fairs Melbourne would run safely and successfully in October this year, and our principal focus was on ensuring that the rescheduled dates were ideally positioned to support our community,” the email read.
“However, following consultation with you, our customers, and all other stakeholders, we have concluded that the best option is to refocus on maximising business opportunities for wholesalers and retailers in 2021.”
The next Reed Gift Fairs Melbourne will take place at the MCEC from 31 July–4 August 2021, while Reed Gift Fairs Sydney is scheduled for 20–23 February 2021.
"We appreciate that this is disappointing news, however we have made this decision with everyone’s health and safety as our number-one priority. We can now look ahead to the 2021 editions of Reed Gift Fairs in Sydney and Melbourne with more certainty," Reed Exhibitions said in the email.
Despite the cancellation of the Melbourne event, Gold Coast Gift & Lifestyle – organised by Expertise Events – has been approved to take place at the Gold Coast Exhibition Centre on 26–28 September.
Expertise also organises Sydney's International Jewellery & Watch Fair and Spring Gift & Lifestyle shows, which were, at the time of publication, still scheduled to run concurrently from September 12–14.
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