The Covid-19 pandemic is not going away any time soon, which has led the organisers of The Inspired Home Show to postpone the fair to August 2021.
Previously scheduled for 13 to 16 March 2021, IHA president, Derek Miller, says moving the Chicago show to a later date is the best option in light of the current situation.
“As the pandemic continued into the summer, we had multiple conversations with our board of directors, exhibiting members and retail buyers, all of whom were experiencing apprehension about the ability to safely convene the industry as soon as March of 2021,” he explains.
“While the show continues to be a critical part of their businesses, the health and safety of our industry is our first priority and moving the event to later in the year allows more time for authorities to successfully manage this crisis.”
The decision to postpone the show has been welcomed by retailers and exhibitors worldwide. “We spoke to a number of key retailers, both domestic and international. All of them have been very vocal about their desire to have a face-to-face show in 2021 and are enthusiastic about holding the show later in the year.”
Indeed, IHA chair and CEO of John Ritzenthaler Company, Howard ‘Chip’ Steidle Jr says that the move is the way forward.
“On behalf of the IHA board of directors, all of whom are exhibitors at The Inspired Home Show, I’m extremely pleased that we were able to find alternate dates for The Inspired Home Show 2021,” he adds.
“Given the current trajectory of the pandemic and the ongoing nature of treatment and vaccine development, I can confidently say that this is the best option for our industry right now.”
So after 2021, will the show return to its original March dates? “IHA will survey exhibitors and buyers in the coming weeks to collect current and relevant buying pattern data to determine appropriate timing for future shows,” says Miller.
The Inspired Home Show is held from 7 to 10 August 2021 at McCormick Place, Chicago.
