Hardware Retailing The Industry's Source for Insights and Information
In July, The National Hardware Show team announced the cancellation of the 2020 Show. The event, originally scheduled for May, was postponed to September due to safety concerns but with the continued impact of COVID-19, the September Show has now been cancelled. According to Randy Field, group vice president of Reed Exhibitions, the decision was made in part due to the forced cancellation of hundreds of international exhibitors who are under travel restrictions, as well as concerns for the safety of attendees.
Instead of an in-person experience, NHS plans to host a virtual trade show dedicated to providing the ability for retailers and buyers to connect with manufacturers and suppliers along with education and support that recognizes and addresses the direct and essential needs of the hardware industry. The “virtual” National Hardware Show is now scheduled to take place over the dates of October 12-15, 2020.
“We are excited to be adding a virtual tradeshow component to the NHS Connects digital platform that we currently have available on our website. To be able to be the connection place for direct appointment setting, product showcases and debuts and other networking opportunities enables us to help business in the hardware & home improvement industry to continue. We seek to encourage attendees, exhibitors and all of the NHS community to explore the platform and utilize it until we meet again in person in 2021,” says Field.
“All of the changes we’ve had in 2020 have allowed us to re-imagining the entire physical trade Show in 2021,” says Rich Russo, industry vice president, “so look forward to new initiatives, new pavilions and layouts, and more transformational change of NHS for 2021.”
