Kingpins Amsterdam returns to physical format with new larger venue

By

Benjamin Fitzgerald

Published
Apr 12, 2022

Kingpins Amsterdam is returning to a pre-pandemic physical format this month, with a denim showcase slated for April 20 and 21 in the Dutch capital.

The U.S.-based denim tradeshow's April edition in Amsterdam will take place in a new venue, SugarCity, as opposed to Westergasfabriek. The tradeshow will also run from SugarCity later in the year for a show on October 20 and 21.

Once a sugar factory, SugarCity is located in Halfweg, a 15-minute drive from Amsterdam. The new venue is 40% larger than Westergasfabriek and boasts a whopping 100,000 square feet of show space.

The historic building is made up of three levels: ground floor, which will hold the majority of exhibitor booths as well as Kingpins Trend and Most Sustainable Product installations; Level 1, which will host the Transformers and remaining exhibitor sections; and Level 2, which will house seminars, initiatives and serves as the main catering area for the tradeshow.

"​We have begun preparations and all of us will be there ready to host you for a return to what was once normal. It’s been a long time between shows, but unless the Dutch government blocks public gatherings, we are acting like it’s 2019 and life is normal — but with masks and testing," said organisers, in a blog post online.

"At this point, our attitude is that new virus “brands” are not going to stop coming at us. Those of us who need to be inspired need to get out of our little bubbles."

Organisers did not disclose exhibitor numbers or the expected number of attendees, but advised the list of exhibitors from across the globe is being regularly updated.

The return to the physical Kingpins Amsterdam event comes after the tradeshow transitioned to a virtual format, Kingpins24, following the outbreak of the pandemic which led to social restrictions.