CHICAGO — Cologne, Germany-based trade show organizer Koelnmesse will bring its h+h cologne crafts industry trade show to the United States next summer, launching h+h americas at the Donald E. Stephens Convention & Conference Center in Rosemont, Illinois, from June 22-24, 2022. The European version is held annually at the company’s International Exhibition and Trade Fair Center in Cologne, which hosts a variety of trade shows and conferences each year.
Koelnmesse decided the time was right to launch a North American version of its highly successful annual Cologne textile craft show, due to the industry’s recent double-digit growth in the United States, where people have turned en masse to crochet, knitting, sewing, quilting and embroidery during the pandemic. The goal of the U.S. show, which will include a digital option, is to establish a U.S. ordering platform for North American buyers of home textiles, upholstery, sewing, knitting, crochet, notions, quilting, embroidery, as well as business software and marketing solutions. It will be held in partnership with the Craft Industry Alliance, a membership organization that has served the craft industry community since 2015.
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“Our decision to launch h+h americas is part of our strategy to make trade fairs more international and accessible to our customers via online channels,” said Gerald Böse, CEO of Koelnmesse GmbH. “This step will strengthen our trade fair in Cologne while meeting the growing demand from the American market.”
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The North American show is organized by Koelnmesse subsidiary Koelnmesse Inc. in Chicago. “For many years, our customers have been asking us when h+h will come to North America, as not everyone can travel to Cologne,” said Mette Petersen, President and CEO of Koelnmesse Inc. “The COVID situation has accelerated the demand for soft craft products in North America and we believe the time is right to introduce the renowned h+h brand to the United States,” Petersen added, adding that Chicago’s easy domestic and international air accessibility, combined with reasonably priced hotels, make it the ideal destination to launch the new show.
Contact Mette Petersen at (773) 326-9921 or [email protected]