The International Housewares Association announced The Inspired Home Show 2022 will take place on a shortened three-day schedule March 5-7 with COVID-19 safety-related protocols requiring attendees and exhibitors to show proof of vaccination or produce a negative COVID-19 test administered in the previous 72 hours.
The new schedule and COVID-19 protocols for the Show were approved by the IHA Board of Directors during a board meeting Wednesday.
Proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test will be required to receive a badge at McCormick Place that provides access to The Inspired Home Show. The policy includes exhibitors and personnel related to set-up and tear-down of the event. The review of proof of vaccination and negative tests will be facilitated by a third-party company hired by the Show. IHA soon will release additional details, including instructions on how to provide vaccination and testing information.
State of Illinois and City of Chicago Mandates
Once onsite at McCormick Place, exhibitors and attendees must also follow the additional protocols mandated by the State of Illinois and the City of Chicago, according to IHA. Currently, these include an indoor masking mandate and a proof of vaccination requirement to purchase and consume food and beverages in designated communal eating/drinking areas. To-go orders are permitted regardless of vaccination status. Updated details on these mandates can be found on the City of Chicago, Cook County and the McCormick Place websites.
The City of Chicago mandate requires proof of vaccination to attend any IHA events during The Inspired Home Show that are food and beverage-centric, including the Independent Retailer Networking Reception on Friday, March 4, the gia Award Dinner and Gala on Saturday, March 5, and the Networking After Dark reception on Sunday, March 6. Although proof of vaccination will be required to eat in the onsite cafés, “grab and go” options will be made available to all attendees, according to IHA.
Onsite Rapid and PCR Testing to Be Provided
Rapid antigen and PCR testing will be available onsite at The Inspired Home Show so international visitors can test in advance of returning to their home country, creating an easy and effective way for international attendees to adhere to travel policies, according to IHA. If needed, unvaccinated attendees can also use this service to be tested onsite to demonstrate a negative test in order to enter the Show, IHA added.
Show Reduced to Three Days to Further Mitigate Risk
As an added safety precaution, the IHA Board of Directors decided to eliminate the last day of the 2022 Show. The Inspired Home Show 2022 will take place from Saturday, March 5 through Monday, March 7. The Show will resume its normal four-day, Saturday – Tuesday pattern in March of 2023, IHA said.
Logistical information related to the change in schedule for exhibitors’ move-out dates will be communicated by IHA in the near future. Changes to hotel reservations made through OnPeak, IHA’s Official Housing Provider, can be made with no penalty for all Show exhibitors and attendees.
Search Engine-Related Confusion
IHA noted how many search queries made through Google are returning information from third-party sites that are inaccurate. IHA emphasized the Inspired Home Show 2022 is taking place as planned, except for the shortened schedule as noted above. The Association is working to have the inaccurate information removed; in the meantime, it is advising people to disregard any search results that indicate the Show is canceled. All updates about the Show will come directly from IHA and will be displayed on its official Show website.
