MIAMI BEACH, Fla.–A former vice president of the National Hardware Show is launching a new venue for housewares products for those in the housewares industry who want a show first thing in the calendar year.
Called the First Look Housewares Show, the fair is scheduled to take place at the Miami Beach Convention Center from Jan. 8 to 10, 2009, and is expected to have 250 to 300 exhibitors filling 50,000 to 60,000 square feet this first year, said Rob Cappiello, president of Cappiello Management Co. As the show matures, he expects it will have between 600 and 700 manufacturers covering 100,000 to 150,000 square feet in three years.
Within 10 days of announcing the show, Cappiello said more than a dozen exhibitors have already signed up, which he felt was a good sign. “That’s very encouraging,” he said, and he expects to announce some big-name companies joining the list soon. He is also asking exhibitors to not take more than 400 square feet. “We want these companies to only show new products—don’t bring the whole line,” he added.
“Retailers want to see product as early in the year as possible,” Cappiello said. “For October, November and December, very few retailers see manufacturers and few manufacturers see retailers” because of the holiday season. “So by the time Christmas ends, there’s pent-up demand” to see new product, he said.
Many manufacturers travel to visit with their largest customers in person to show them new product, or exhibit in overseas shows—both expensive strategies, Cappiello said. With First Look, he wanted to offer both manufacturers and retailers something in the United States, especially those who miss having a housewares show in January. He added that “this show is not intended to be the be-all and end-all show,” but he hopes that First Look becomes an opportunity for people to start making deals and finish them at later shows.