The National Hardware Show has announced its new dates for NHS Connects. From October 12-15, attendees will use the new digital platform to experience the virtual product showcases, direct networking with buyers, suppliers, and manufacturers, and educational content.
The virtual event is replacing the NHS in-person show that was originally scheduled for May in Las Vegas. Besides featuring the standard industry events online, there will also be a new greater emphasis on personal protective equipment (PPE).
“The PPE Market, a part of NHS Connects, is a newly launched dedicated matchmaking program specifically for retailers and distributors in need of PPE by connecting them with manufacturers a part of the NHS community that are currently supplying PPE products,” NHS Connects says on its PPE section of the platform. “With the current times of uncertainty we’re now living in, it’s now more important than ever for us to utilize our resources to help our customers keep their businesses safe and open.”
Previously, the show was postponed in May to a September date, but the changing circumstances around COVID-19 forced the NHS to cancel it altogether, according to Randy Field, group vice president of Reed Exhibitions.
“The hardware industry has been greatly impacted by the global pandemic and hundreds of our international exhibitors have been forced to cancel their plans to participate in the NHS due to market conditions and continued travel restrictions,” Field says. “At the NHS we pride ourselves on being the leading industry gathering place and while we recognize and appreciate how important the Show is to the community, we believe it is the right decision to transition it to a virtual experience for 2020."