By Wes French, Social Media Coordinator
IHA is proud to announce that the annual International Home + Housewares Show will begin a day earlier in 2012, with the Show floor opening at 12:30 pm Saturday, March 10.
On April 20th, IHA’s Board of Directors voted unanimously to extend the 2012 Show to four days. This decision has been discussed over the last five years with many factors being considered. Some of those factors include:
- The lack of time for exhibitors to hold enough detailed meetings with key retailers during Show days.
- The need for more time for independent retailers and buyers with broad-ranging category responsibilities to meet with their partners and open new business relationships.
- Many meetings are already scheduled on Saturday before the Show, but exhibitors would rather hold these meetings in their booths.
“This additional Show time will allow exhibitors to schedule ample time for appointments with key retailer partners in a more relaxed and unhurried atmosphere,” said Phil Brandl, IHA president. “It will offer all buyer attendees additional time to seek out new supplier partners while also giving time for meetings with current suppliers.”
Along with buyer attendees, manufacturers’ representatives and news media attendees will be allowed on the exhibit floor Saturday. Trade Guests, however, will not be allowed on the Show floor Saturday.
You can find a list of FAQ’s here. Please refer to this page for extra information about the extension. We welcome any further questions. Please direct them to Mia Rampersad at mrampersad@housewares.org, your Show representative (see below) or Phil at philipbrandl@housewares.org. We will be happy to get back to you with answers to your questions.
Trade Show Sales Team:
Laiza Altaf, laltaf@housewares.org — gourmet food + specialty products, global crossroads
Lisa Dahms, ldahms@housewares.org – tabletop, kitchen essentials + accents
Alyssa Fulton, lfulton@housewares.org – wired + well
Marie Kulik, mkulik@housewares.org – discover design
Katie Thill, kthill@housewares.org – clean, contain + sustain, cook + bakeware
The 2012 International Home + Housewares Show will be held at Chicago’s McCormick Place on the following hours:
Saturday, March 10 12:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 11 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Monday, March 12 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday, March 13 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
To register for the Show or for information on exhibiting, please visit www.housewares.org.
