IHA partnering with GMDC|Retail Tomorrow to offer matchmaking between exhibiting members and grocery buyers.
ROSEMONT, IL (Feb 3, 2021) – Connect GROCERY, an IHA virtual event in partnership with the Global Market Development Center (GMDC)|Retail Tomorrow, will be held April 20-23. It is the last in a series of virtual events IHA has planned for March and April.
Connect GROCERY will offer IHA’s exhibiting members the opportunity to hold strategic meetings with grocery retailers and wholesalers, using a model developed by GMDC|Retail Tomorrow, a leading retail trade association focused on improving the shopper experiences in the non-foods grocery segment.
“The non-foods category in supermarkets is an important and profitable component for grocery retailers,” said Derek Miller, IHA president. “Given the lack of face-to-face events right now, we are excited to work with GMDC|Retail Tomorrow, using their matchmaking process to virtually connect our exhibiting members with relevant grocery retailers and wholesalers.”
During Connect GROCERY, participants will have the opportunity to take part in 45-minute meetings via the GMDC*Connect video conferencing platform, powered by Zoom, scheduled at the top of every hour from 10 a.m. – 5:45 p.m. ET. The meetings will be mutually matched, with GMDC|Retail Tomorrow building all meeting schedules to accommodate participants’ interests, schedules and availability.
“The nature of the retail experience and how the industry connects and conducts business is completely changed,” said Patrick Spear, president & CEO of GMDC|Retail Tomorrow. “In response, GMDC|Retail Tomorrow is excited to provide our members with more frequent, category specific events to better position them to conduct business throughout the year despite the disruption caused by COVID-19. We’re equally thrilled to partner with IHA to offer the unique opportunity to connect buyers and sellers across associations.”
Exhibitors contracted and paid in full for The Inspired Home Show 2021 may register to participate. Companies not contracted and/or paid in full for August 2021 should contact their Show sales representative to complete the process before attempting to apply.
There is no registration fee for the event. Participating suppliers will be charged $500 for each meeting scheduled and executed during the event. IHA exhibiting members can visit TheInspiredHomeShow.com/connect/connect-grocery for more details and a link to registration.
Connect GROCERY takes place during the final week of a three-week GMDC|Retail Tomorrow spring event that includes weeks dedicated to General Merchandise and Self Care, as well as Non-Food/Home + Housewares. Grocery retailers and wholesale buyers have the opportunity to register for any or all of these weekly sessions. Complete information, including retailer and supplier registration is available at GMDC Virtual Event
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About IHA
The International Housewares Association is the 83-year-old voice of the housewares industry, which accounted for (US)$394.3 billion at retail worldwide in 2018. The not-for-profit, full-service association sponsors the world’s premier exposition of products for the home, The Inspired Home Show, IHA’s Global Home + Housewares Market (TheInspiredHomeShow.com), and offers its 1,400 member companies a wide range of services, including industry and government advocacy, export assistance, industry and consumer trends through the IHA Market Watch Report, executive management peer groups, a B2B community at www.housewares.org, group buying discounts on business solutions services and direct-to-consumer engagement through TheInspiredHome.com.
About GMDC|Retail Tomorrow
Since 1970, Global Market Development Center (GMDC)|Retail Tomorrow connects people and companies to opportunities for growth through events, networking and insights that inspire innovation. GMDC|Retail Tomorrow is the leading nonprofit trade association fostering discovery, continuous learning and uncommon partnerships focused on enhancing the shopper experience. Today it represents more than 125,000 retail outlets. For more information, visit gmdc.org.
