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Posted by Rachel Westall on 29 July 2021
Excitement is building for the first edition of h+h americas which will be held from 22nd-24th June, 2022 in Chicago. The event is Koelnmesse’s response to the increased demand for a strong and unified national trade fair for the handicrafts sector in North America. Due to the pandemic, handicrafts have gained growing popularity in the USA and are recording double-digit growth rates. Almost 30 million Americans crochet, knit, sew, quilt or embroider - providing an ideal basis for a successful trade fair premiere in North America. h+h cologne is a leading industry event for textile handicrafts and takes place every year in Cologne, Germany
By taking the well-known h+h brand overseas, Koelnmesse is establishing a top-class ordering platform in the US for North American buyers. The first h+h americas will reflect all the product segments of its sister event with main segments in Home Textiles, Tapestry, Sewing, Knitting, Crocheting, Haberdashery, Quilting, Needlepoint, Business Software and Marketing Solutions. Visitors will be soft craft retailers, wholesalers, designers and the online trade who can also access the show virtually. Koelnmesse Inc. expects exhibitors from North America to be joined by several European companies in this segment. "Our decision to launch h+h americas is in line with our strategy to make shows more international and more accessible to our customers via online channels. This step will strengthen our trade show in Cologne while responding to the growing demand in the American market," according to Gerald Böse, CEO of Koelnmesse GmbH.
The new h+h americas, which will take place next year at the Donald E. Stephens Convention & Conference Center in Rosemont, Illinois, will offer North American trade visitors an additional ordering platform. The new trade show is organized by Koelnmesse's subsidiary Koelnmesse Inc. in Chicago: "For many years we have been asked by our customers when h+h would come to North America as not everyone can travel to Cologne. The Covid situation has accelerated the demand for soft craft products in North America and we feel that now is the right time to bring the well-known h+h brand to the U.S.", says Mette Petersen, President and Managing Director of Koelnmesse Inc..
Petersen continues: "Chicago offers the ideal location for this first time show with easy access for domestic and international travelers and reasonably priced hotels". The local conference partner will be the Craft Industry Alliance catering to professionals in the handicrafts industry. Founded in 2015 by Abby Glassenberg and Kristin Link, its mission is to connect, educate, inspire and provide members with industry news for craft professionals.
Abby Glassenberg, Co-founder and President of Craft Industry Alliance has attended multiple h+h cologne events and looks forward to the cooperation: "We are thrilled to partner with Koelnmesse to bring h+h cologne to the US. For us, the h+h cologne trade show in Germany is the premier craft industry event. The opportunity to bring this event to North America and to work together to create a fresh, inspiring, and elevated show experience for buyers and exhibitors is unbeatable. This show will propel the whole industry forward."
Information about exhibition opportunities, participation and presentations at this event will follow shortly. For more information contact: www.hh-americas.com
