Exhibitors at the forthcoming Inspired Home Show said they look forward to a productive and rewarding in-person return of the leading B2B home and housewares marketplace.
Exhibitors at The Inspired Home Show 2022, set for March 5-7 at Chicago’s McCormick Place, told HomePage News the renewal of the in-person show after pandemic-influenced cancelations in 2020 and 2021, comes at a critical collaborative stage for a home and housewares business facing the opportunity to serve continuing high demand complicated by lingering operating challenges.
Many said the in-person show will provide a valuable forum for presenting retailers and other visitors an industrywide panorama of new product and marketing innovation, along with insightful business education, while renewing up-close, nuanced buyer/seller relations that can help pinpoint back-half 2022 strategies.
International Housewares Association management said it has been in frequent contact with key retailers across all channels, noting a common narrative from retailers that they need The Inspired Home Show because it is much more effective than digital meeting platforms for finding new products and new suppliers while spotting emerging trends. IHA reported the March show will showcase more than 300 first-time exhibitors.
The International Housewares Association, as part of its program for enhanced safety during The Inspired Home Show 2022, reported new data projecting the COVID transmission rate during the show in early March will be well below recommended safe travel and gathering thresholds. IHA and Epistemix, which develops simulations to model the spread of diseases and inform policy, released updated data that projects the risk of COVID transmission at a rate of less than 0.1% of total attendance during The Inspired Home Show, March 5-7, 2022. This projection places The Inspired Home Show below the Center for Disease Control (CDC) threshold for safe travel and gathering.
Here is what several exhibitors at The Inspired Home Show 2022 said about the return of the show and their show objectives:
Yvette Laugier, Managing Director, Peugeot Saveurs North America
“I have always looked forward to the show to solidify our partnerships with retailers and reps all over the world. It is the time to showcase new products, have in-person meetings and learn from our fellow IHA member exhibitors.
“And let’s not forget all the value-added services, educational seminars and market trends presentations that occur during the show, which retailers tell us they come to see to aid in their high-level positions for their respective companies.
“The show is made up of smaller to medium size companies which all get their initial exposure, from the 10-by-10 booths that morph into much larger spaces over the years. This exposure cannot be replicated in any other format but a safe and supportive environment such as the newly named Inspired Home Show.”
Sal Gabbay, CEO, Gibson Homewares
“It has been a long time since we were all together like this. It’s about growing the business for everyone. There is just no substitute for getting in front of each other and being able to touch, see and discuss new products in person.”
Steve Greenspon, CEO, Honey-Can-Do
“One of the first things that I did when I started Honey-Can-Do was to register for the Inspired Home Show (International Home and Housewares Show as it was known at the time). At our first show, we were exposed to just about every major retailer in our category and used it as a tool to create relationships.
“As we have grown, the show has become a platform to introduce new products and gain exposure from the media and influencers as well as to maintain and grow our bonds with our retail partners.”
Bill Endres, President, Select Brands
“Select Brands is excited to be able after almost three years to show our new products and development to the industry in a venue which can be a hands-on experience for retailers and interested parties.
“While we know the Show experience will be different this year, it could give those retailers that do attend an advantage over their competition and allow them to have more meaningful meetings with suppliers in attendance. There is no other event in our industry that can provide this kind of opportunity.”
Jan Murtagh, President, CDN
“The success of our business is based on two things, the quality of our products and the quality of our relationships with our retail partners. I can’t tell you how much we’re looking forward to spending time with retailers at The Inspired Home Show.”
David Shull, Executive Vice President, Jura Inc.
The Inspired Home Show is the place to be for housewares innovation. We look forward to the opportunity to work with retail partners and other industry leaders in person after a long hiatus. JURA will be Coffee Ready for all three days, from start to finish – and we’re excited to showcase our newest products.”
Kris Malkoski, CEO, Home Solutions, Newell Brands
“The IHA show is important because it will allow for face-to-face meetings across several levels with multiple retailers. This has rarely happened in over two years. Newell Brands will use the meetings at the show to continue to build on win-win programs and collaborative relationships with our retail partners.”
Thom Nichols, CEO, Pretika
“This year is an important benchmark in bringing the industry together. The IHA team is working closely with retailers to strengthen retailer attendance. As an exhibitor member, participation in The Inspired Home 2022 is an integral factor in maximizing retailer attendance numbers, supports the industry and paves the way for a more back-to-normal transition to the most significant international housewares trade show – the Inspired Home Show.
“Plus, the new Inspired Home Show branding signage and displays throughout McCormick’s Place will make a positive statement to the industry.”
Keith Mirchandani, CEO, Tristar Products
“The Houseware Show has been the cornerstone of our industry for 94 years. As a young entrepreneur, it opened the door of opportunity, allowed me to meet key decision-makers and industry professionals.
“We’re in a unique time where we have become so remote and disconnected, it is so important to our business to safely reengage in person and build upon those relationships, many of which began at the show. It was and always will be a catalyst for innovation and newness, and we are thrilled to be attending this year… and we may just discover the next great product.”
Will Symonds, President, Oggi
“The show will be an important opportunity to meet with key retailer customers and to reconnect with our reps. We’ll have a number of new launches and new branding, and we are really looking forward to spending the time with our external salesforce.
We’ll also get a view of the overall industry, who is doing what, trends and key developments. There is no substitute for this one: You can’t do it by Zoom.
“I feel strongly that this show is important for our industry and for the future of companies like Oggi. We are looking at it very long term and very much looking forward to being there.”
Kim Cole, CEO, Gleener
Gleener launched in the U.S. at the IHA (show) years ago and I would venture to say exhibiting at that show played a pivotal role in the early success of the brand. Our first show literally kicked open the doors to the housewares industry overnight, where key retail partnerships were formed and are still going strong.
“The Inspired Home Show continues to be a best-in-class industry show that sets the stage for both the retail and supplier communities to meet in person. And it is the in-person element we’ve all been missing and craving for 2 long years. The Gleener team are really looking forward to seeing old industry friends and forging new partnerships at the show next month. Beyond this, we’re also looking forward to launching a few new products and being inspired by the dynamism of spotting new trends, colors, patterns that you can only soak in if you’re at the party.”
Glenn DeStefano, President, Storebound
“The Inspired Home Show has always been and will be again this year our opportunity to shine with our retail partners. There still is no better way to show off new products and brainstorm ideas with our retail partners that will drive their business in Q4 and beyond.”
For more information about The Inspired Home Show 2022 and to register to attend, visit TheInspiredHomeShow.com/register. Before picking up show badges at McCormick Place, all exhibitors and attendees will be required to demonstrate proof of vaccination or produce a negative Covid-19 test that had been administered in the previous 72 hours.
