The International Housewares Association (IHA) has confirmed a shortened schedule for The Inspired Home Show, which will now take place across three days from March 5 to March 7, 2022.
As an added safety precaution, the IHA board of directors has decided to eliminate the last day of the 2022 Show. The Show will resume its normal four-day, Saturday to Tuesday pattern in March 2023.
Logistical information related to the change in schedule for exhibitors’ move-out dates will be communicated 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.
Covid-19 safety-related policies and protocols
Before collecting a badge at McCormick Place for access to The Inspired Home Show, 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. This 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. Details including full instructions on how to provide vaccination or testing information will be available in the near future.
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. 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.
The City of Chicago mandate means that proof of vaccination will be required to attend any IHA events during The Inspired Home Show that are food and beverage-centric including the Independent Retailer Networking Reception on 4 March, the gia Award Dinner and Gala on 5 March, and the Networking After Dark reception on 6 March. Although proof of vaccination will be required to eat in the onsite cafés, ‘grab and go’ options will be made available to all attendees.
Rapid antigen and PCR testing will be available onsite that 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. If needed, unvaccinated attendees can also use this service to be tested onsite to demonstrate a negative test to enter the Show.