After postponing August’s Sourcing at Magic and Footwear Sourcing trade shows into September, Informa Markets Fashion has sweeping plans to broaden the scope of its industry-standard events.
On Monday, Informa announced plans to convert the trade shows into a three-month digital event accompanied by a focused Made-in-America in-person gathering in Las Vegas from Sept. 30-Oct. 2.
The coronavirus pandemic may have significantly altered Informa’s plans for its sourcing and supply chain event but the show organizer said the new format will transcend the short-term economic environment.
Instead, Informa believes the online event will facilitate fashion’s digitized future in both apparel and footwear sourcing.
“We are thrilled to launch this new digital marketplace where, for the first time for our buyers, they will have the opportunity to connect with an even larger global network of manufacturers, suppliers and service providers dynamically and instantaneously 24/7,” Sourcing at Magic event manager Andreu David said. “It’s going to be a huge value-add for our global fashion community.”
The digital platform will be open for business from Sept. 15 -Dec. 15. It will feature an intuitive and easy-to-search marketplace with customizable company profiles, Informa said, and participants will have access to integrated video conferencing, direct messaging and data analysis.
The new online platform will offer tools to connect Sourcing at Magic’s international community of sourcing professionals, suppliers, manufacturers and service providers, for whom lead generation and networking remain a priority.
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Attendees can also expect the same expert-driven content and resources they have experienced in the past, Informa said.
The physical component of Informa’s sourcing showcase will exclusively highlight domestic companies and U.S.-represented importers. The event was reimagined for the COVID-19 environment, the organizer said, and strictly adheres to “local and national health and safety guidelines.”
As of now, 50 U.S. companies will display their curated collections at the Las Vegas Convention Center’s Central Hall in September, including an “international resource center” to help attendees connect with suppliers around the world.
“As much as we wish we could execute our normal sourcing event with over 30 countries, we are excited for this opportunity to highlight our incredible U.S. fashion manufacturing community,” Magic president Kelly Helfman said. “The digital event, which will be open for commerce before, during, and after the physical show, will be the perfect complement to the smaller, physical event.”
Throughout the industry, trade shows have been forced to improvise during the pandemic. Some events, like Liberty Fashion & Lifestyle Fairs’ Cabana resort women’s wear trade show, have gone completely digital while others, including Copenhagen Fashion Week, will take place in person as planned.