An update from Spry Show organizer, Robert Lauder.
We are actively monitoring the developments of the COVID-19 virus. We have already had conference calls with our venue manager-partners to discuss best practice for protecting Spry guests. We are assured we will have safe, low-risk environments with which to conduct our business come the Summer.
We are well into planning the summer season events now. The Exhibitor and Brands lists for the Maritimes and Ontario Summer Markets will be posted to the web-site March 13th. As will be demonstrated with the initial list of Exhibitors and Brands that will be participating, the Spry Summer Markets will again be robust and tremendous opportunities to book great products for the 2021 Spring/Summer retail season.
The overwhelming perception from our exhibitors, many of whom, as is usual, have just recently committed to participate in the Summer Season events, along with other people we have spoken to in the industry is, fortunately, “our little events” are considered low risk in regard to the current concern that “large public” events can be opportunities for the virus to be passed on. Historically at the Summer Market in June in Moncton and in July in Toronto, there is never more than around 100 retailer staff in the building at any given time each day.
As has been disseminated through the media, there are things we can all do to optimize the low risk environment, such as washing hands regularly, not touching our faces and adopting the new standard of “social distancing”. Our venues have already implemented enhanced hygienic environments to host and protect their clients that will contribute to this new standard of hygiene.
It is our primary focus to ensure the Spry Shows be the safe and productive events they need to be to allow the industry to get its important work done at the events taking place this summer.