IHA Announces On-Site Covid-19 Protocols, Shortened Schedule for The Inspired Home Show 2022

ROSEMONT, IL (Jan. 19, 2022)– Following the January Board of Directors’ meeting, the International Housewares Association today announced that The Inspired Home Show 2022 will take place March 5-7. Covid-19 safety-related policies and protocols have also been established – as has a shortened schedule for the event.

Before collecting a badge at McCormick Place that provides 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.

State of Illinois and City of Chicago Mandates

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. Updated details on these mandates can be found on the City of Chicago, Cook County and the McCormick Place websites.

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 Friday, March 4, the gia Award Dinner and Gala on Saturday, March 5, and the Networking After Dark reception on Sunday, March 6. Although proof of vaccination will be required to eat in the onsite cafés, “grab and go” options will be made available to all attendees. 

Onsite Rapid and PCR Testing to Be Provided

Rapid antigen and PCR testing will be available onsite at The Inspired Home Show so 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 in order to enter the Show.

Show Reduced to Three Days to Further Mitigate Risk

As an added safety precaution, the IHA Board of Directors has decided to eliminate the last day of the 2022 Show. The Inspired Home Show 2022 will take place from Saturday, March 5 through Monday, March 7. The Show will resume its normal four-day, Saturday – Tuesday pattern in March of 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.

Search Engine-Related Confusion

It has come to IHA’s attention recently that many search queries made through Google are returning information from third-party sites that are inaccurate. The Inspired Home Show 2022 is taking place as planned, except for the shortened schedule as noted above. The Association is working to have the inaccurate information removed; in the meantime, please disregard any search results that indicate the Show is cancelled. Any and all updates about the Show will come directly from IHA and will be displayed on our official Show website.

Please visit The Inspired Home Show’s Covid-19 Information Page for the most up-to-date information on event-related protocols, as well as Show and policy FAQs.