Informa Markets Fashion, organizer of Micam Americas, Magic and Project among other shows, has postponed its August 2020 Las Vegas marketplace. Originally slated for Aug. 17-19, the marketplace will now take place Sept. 29-Oct. 1, 2020, at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The marketplace will feature flagship shows WWDMagic, Project, and Micam Americas in reconsidered formats conducive to the current environment and adherent to suggested health and safety guidelines recommended by the Center for Disease Control.
While Informa Markets’ Las Vegas fashion marketplace has traditionally taken place in August to align with the fashion industry’s buying cycles, the decision to postpone the dates is a two-fold response amid continued uncertainty of reopening plans across the country, as well as shifts in this year’s buying season. Additionally, with Covid-19’s marked impacts on the fashion industry, business continuity for the remainder of 2020 is imperative for fashion and apparel brands, retailers and manufacturers. With the postponement, Informa Markets hopes to provide the fashion community with the urgent and necessary commerce opportunities it needs.
“We know that our community is eager to connect again. We also know our partner brands and retailers put a lot of effort into the logistics of exhibiting at or attending one of our shows,” states Nancy Walsh, president of Informa Fashion Markets. “We believe it is in the best interest of our community to postpone the show at this time, giving us the runway to review the situation on an on-going basis. At the same time, we believe it is our responsibility to the industry we serve to move forward and provide an opportunity for some form of business continuity while we reassess and work through what fashion business looks like in a post Covid-19 world.” Walsh adds, “We are hopeful for a September return to the show floor and are working tirelessly to make it happen, with a very focused effort on health and safety standards.”
If ultimately opened to exhibitors and attendees, the September 2020 Las Vegas fashion marketplace will feature a new, more considerate layout. Design changes including, but not limited to, separate, smaller and more intimate micro markets taking place within a single venue. While the most appropriate show design is still being considered, the final reimagined marketplace formats will all be guided by physical distancing guidelines, crowd-control measures and enhanced cleaning protocols. More information on the health and safety standards across fashion portfolio events will be available on the Informa Markets website in the coming weeks.
