ROSEMONT, Ill.–More than 20,000 buyers from around the world are expected to attend the International Home & Housewares Show in March, according to a statement from the International Housewares Association, sponsor of the event.
The attendees will be on hand to take in displays of more than 2,000 suppliers from five continents, and will be “aggressively seeking new opportunities to grow their business in these challenging times,” said Phil Brandl, IHA president. The show will take place March 22-24 at McCormick Place in Chicago.
Comments from exhibitors and attendees indicate that expectations for the upcoming show are high.
“It’s more than just buyers and sellers discussing product,” said Gerald Rubin, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Helen of Troy. “Where else can you go and meet buyers and senior-level management from all domestic classes of trade and a broad base of international trade as well?”
From the retailing side, Janis Johnson, president of the Gourmet Catalog U.S. buying group, said, “Each of us has a real responsibility to our customers (and to our businesses) to know firsthand what’s going on. Our store members are very upbeat and optimistic (and) are now eagerly awaiting the Chicago housewares show.”