Kingpins Amsterdam Canceled Due to COVID-19 Travel Restrictions
Confirmed reports of travel restrictions from the international and local denim community prompt event organizers to cancel the Kingpins Amsterdam show, originally slated for April 22/23.
NEW YORK | March 9, 2020 | The Kingpins Amsterdam denim supply chain trade show will not host its April 2020 edition due to the health concerns and travel restrictions linked to the coronavirus, COVID-19.
“We have been monitoring this situation very closely and had been hoping to have the show go on, but in light of the travel restrictions our attendees and exhibitors are experiencing and the overarching concern for the health and safety of our community, we have no choice but to cancel Kingpins Amsterdam,” said Andrew Olah, founder of Kingpins Show.
Kingpins Amsterdam is the second show Kingpins organizers have canceled due to health and travel concerns related to COVID-19. In February, organizers announced the cancelation of the Kingpins Hong Kong show, originally slated for May 13/14.
“We are following the Center for Disease Control’s recommendations for limiting the spread of COVID-19. The CDC is recommending people avoid all nonessential travel, including to several countries that have reported high levels of infection,” Olah said. “This includes countries where many of our friends, exhibitors and attendees are based. We encourage everyone to practice common sense and get their information from trusted sources.”
While the health and safety of the denim supply chain is forcing the closure of key Kingpins events, organizers say they are searching for solutions to help the denim industry stay in touch with customers and suppliers.
“We cannot stop the world over this virus,” Olah said. “A total economic shutdown is not a realistic option for any of us although the earth is benefitting from less activity.”
Kingpins Amsterdam exhibitors and attendees will be contacted with further information regarding booth contracts and registrations.
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About Kingpins:
The Kingpins Show is an invitation-only, boutique denim sourcing show featuring a highly-edited selection of vendors that include denim and sportswear fabric mills from the U.S., Japan, China, India, Italy, Turkey, Egypt, Pakistan, Thailand, Spain and Mexico; wash houses; full package manufacturers; trim providers; and makers of technology, wash chemicals and business solutions. Kingpins, which launched in 2004, produces biannual shows in New York and Amsterdam, as well as annual shows in Hong Kong and China.