The Australian Toy, Hobby & Licensing Fair was due to take place from 28th February to 3rd March. 

The Australian Toy Association has become the latest to announce a transition away from its physical event format amidst the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. 

The Australian Toy, Hobby & Licensing Fair, was was due to take place from 28th February to 3rd March at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre, will now be an online-only event following investment into a new digital platform by the ATA. New dates for the event have also been announced, with the digital show taking place from Monday 1st to Friday 5th March 2021.

"We believe this is the best outcome moving forward and this is also the message we are hearing from both exhibitors and attendees alike," said the ATA in a statement. "[A digital fair] provides many positive possibilities that a physical fair, while the preferred option, does not offer in these current circumstances. It removes travel constraints for both national and international attendees as well as opens up the potential for world class international guests to present such as ICTI Ethical Toy Program and NPD Global."

The ATA will be contacting those exhibitors already booked to attend to advise them of the options available. One-on-one demonstrations of the technology used by the show platform will also be on offer for anyone unsure of how to make the most of their presence at the digital show. 

The statement continued: "This is a time to adapt, and the ATA intends to be at the forefront of this new climate we find ourselves in. We look forward to both delivering another successful and meaningful event for the industry in 2021 as well as bringing the physical fair back, bigger and better in 2022."