International Housewares Association President Derek Miller reported more than 1,000 exhibitors and 82% of top U.S. home and housewares retailers are set to attend The Inspired Home Show in March.
Miller, in a letter to the industry addressing plans for the forthcoming Show, credited the resolve of the industry during the COVID pandemic and in the face of labor and shipping challenges. “Our industry is resilient, and after the past two years, we are no doubt ready to take on the many opportunities that 2022 will offer,” Miller said. “I look to the coming month as a turning point when we will once again be able to come together to discover new products and supply chains, to learn from industry peers and experts and to connect with current and new partners.
“The Inspired Home Show 2022 will be smaller in size this year, but with perhaps more opportunity than ever,” Miller continued. “Our industry is made up of hundreds of small, mid-size and large companies, and while some have chosen to sit this year out, once the last display is set and the doors at McCormick Place open, we will have over 1,000 suppliers on hand to display their latest products and innovations.”
The Inspired Home Show 2022 is scheduled for March 5-7 at Chicago’s McCormick Place.
Miller, in the letter, said IHA staff have doubled outreach to connect with as many U.S. key retailers as possible. “The 2022 Show will have strong support from most of the major buyers – in fact, 82% of the top U.S. retailers have indicated that they plan to be in attendance,” Miller said. “While the numbers within their delegations may be reduced from previous years, key decision-makers within these retailers plan to attend to continue with much needed top-to-top meeting opportunities.”
Miller added the IHA team is working closely with independent and specialty buying groups, such as GC Buying Group and HTI Buying Group, to get their retail members to the Show. IHA staff has had more than 900 face-to-face meetings with specialty retailers since September, an effort that will continue throughout February, Miller added. “The results of these partnerships and meetings show a strong need and desire by this industry segment for the Show,” he said.
Miller cited recently released data from Epistemix, a data science company specializing in infectious disease prevention, projecting the risk of COVID infection at the Show in March to be less than 0.1% of all attending. That places the event below the CDC threshold for safe travel and gathering, he noted. IHA, Epistemix and McCormick Place have been working closely for several months to develop a plan for a safe and productive Show, Miller added. More information on IHA’s show safety program is available on the Show’s website.
IHA members are contributing to the show safety plan, Miller said. IRIS USA is supplying complimentary face masks to be distributed during the Show, and Newell Brands and Simplehuman are supplying hand sanitation stations throughout McCormick Place.
“It’s been far too long since our industry has gathered together in Chicago, and it’s time we come back together for three days of networking and product discovery,” Miller said in the letter. “You may have seen our marketing messaging over the past several weeks that asks, What’s Been Missing? The clear answer is that Discovery, Exploration, Inspiration and Connection have been missing, and all can be found at The Inspired Home Show 2022 in Chicago, March 5-7.
“Although I have worked within the housewares industry for more than 26 years and for IHA for more than 22 years, I have never been more excited about welcoming everyone, from the USA and around the world, to The Inspired Home Show in Chicago next month. I very much look forward to seeing you there!”
