The ‘twin’ shows were scheduled to be held on 1–5 March and 3–7 March respectively, after the 2020 editions were postponed twice and then cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a statement appearing on the official website for the events, HKTDC explained that the decision was made due to international travel restrictions remaining in place, and unlikely to be lifted until later in 2021.
“After consultation with industry representatives and key stakeholders, a decision has been made to reschedule the twin fairs to 2–6 July 2021, to be held at AsiaWorld-Expo. Details of the arrangement will be provided to exhibitors in due course,” the statement added.
HKTDC said it would “continue to make every effort to help the industry capture business opportunities through multiple channels and platforms”.
The organisation replaced some of its physical shows with digital events in 2020, including the HKTDC Summer Sourcing Weeks Go Online and HKTDC Autumn Sourcing Weeks Online.
Further physical shows cancelled
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, the first half of 2021 appears increasingly bare of watch and jewellery events.
• LVMH Watch Week: Luxury conglomerate Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH) has confirmed its Watch Week – a glittering days-long event for retailers and media at the Bulgari Hotel in Dubai – will instead take the form of a digital press conference at the end of January.
Stéphane Bianchi, CEO – LVMH watches and jewellery, will be joined by the CEOs of Bulgari, Hublot and Zenith. Notably, there will be no representative from TAG Heuer present.
• Watches & Wonders Geneva: The event was scheduled to take place at the Palexpo Centre in Geneva from 7–13 April, but will instead be conducted online next year as it was in 2020.
Formerly known as the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie, the show is yet to take place in a physical format since being rebranded in 2019.
• Tucson Gem and Mineral Show (TGMS): The US-based event – which was scheduled for 11–14 February – has been cancelled.
In a statement published on its website, organisers of the show explained that many volunteer staff, exhibitors and attendees were in high-risk groups for the virus, and that COVID-19 risk-reduction protocols and travel restrictions would “mean drastically restricted attendance and curtailment of many of our programs”.
The statement added, “COVID-19 related risks clearly make it impossible for TGMS to put on anything more than a shadow of our accustomed vibrant event. So, we’ve decided that it makes more sense to conserve our resources and apply them towards a blockbuster 2022 Tucson Gem and Mineral Show.”
The next TGMS is scheduled for 10–13 February 2022.
More reading:
Watch fairs – European COVID flare-up brings 2021 Geneva cancellations
Hong Kong trade show cancelled, replaced with digital event