#offprice show

Following the Dec. 3 announcement that it would host a MAGIC Pop Up Orlando trade event Feb. 9–11 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla., Informa Markets Fashion revealed that it is working with Clarion Events and the Tarsus Group to produce co-located events for the return of on-site trade shows to serve the fashion community. The Dec. 9 announcement said that the co-location of Informa’s MAGIC Pop Up Orlando—serving women’s and men’s apparel, accessories, and footwear, Clarion’s WWIN Orlando Showcase—offering womenswear and accessories—and Tarsus’s Offprice—serving affordable apparel, accessories and footwear buyers—is approaching trade-show production through a “stronger together” approach in order to provide a comprehensive, safe event space for brands and buyers to convene.

“Connecting face-to-face and tactile experiences are key components to how the fashion industry does business—it’s more important than ever for key events players to unite and work together to deliver on the needs of our brands and buyers in the safest, most thoughtful and effective manner,” Kelly Helfman, commercial president of Informa Markets Fashion, said. “At the same time, we realize that this is potentially the first time that our brands and buyers are coming together again, and, as such, safety and comfort are driving our strategic approach in event planning and execution. We are focused on collectively agreed-upon measures that can be implemented across all of our shows while also continually monitoring local and government recommendations.”

Adhering to the guidelines outlined in Informa AllSecure, the event producer’s COVID-19-era approach to trade-show area sanitization and guest safety, the co-located shows will require certain regulations to be followed. Attendees will be screened for their temperatures prior to entry, masks must be worn and social-distancing requirements adhered to according to local and government guidance.

“The health and safety of all those who participate is our utmost priority, and the Orange County Convention Center provides the perfect venue to gather the market together, with a campus-like property and space to accommodate proper social distancing,” said Desiree Hanson, executive vice president of Clarion Events’ WWIN Shows. “It’s also in close outdoor walking proximity to hotels and restaurants, therefore limiting the need for shuttles, among other additional benefits.”

Through this new community-oriented approach to conducting trade-show business across brands, Informa, Tarsus and Clarion are setting a new standard as the apparel industry examines more-collaborative methods to rebuilding business as COVID-19 challenges continue. While the pandemic remains a threat, the industry is ready to begin engaging in safe practices that fortify the wholesale-fashion community.

Prominent trade event the Offprice Show announced that it is joining other marquee shows such as Informa Markets Fashion and Liberty Fairs in canceling in-person editions in Las Vegas this summer. Offprice was scheduled to run Aug. 15–18 at the Sands Expo & Convention Center. However, Offprice will introduce Offprice Online, a virtual buying event, said Tricia Bargloff, Offprice’s executive director.

“Offprice is an order-writing show, and our top priority is getting as many buyers and exhibitors back to business as safely as possible, especially in light of the impact of COVID-19,” Bargloff said. “We greatly appreciate all of the support and flexibility we’ve received from our community during these turbulent times. While we’re deeply saddened to have to cancel our in-person event, we look forward to helping buyers and exhibitors rebuild their businesses through our new virtual offering.”

Offprice Online is scheduled to take its first run Sept. 1–3. The virtual market will allow vendors to build virtual showrooms where digital look books, line sheets and videos can be posted. The virtual showrooms also will offer features such as chat and video meetings. The show’s online market, Offprice365.com, will also continue to be operational as a wholesale platform.