In view of the rapidly escalating effect of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), the BHETA board has postponed Exclusively 2020 until 15th-16th June, 2021, in the interim replacing the live show with Exclusively Digital 2020.
Exclusively Digital 2020 will be an event for fully paid up exhibitors for this year's show and will provide an opportunity for those exhibitors to present brands and products to buyers, press and influencers via new interactive features on the Exclusively website. In the meantime, BHETA will carry over exhibitor support and financial commitment to the 2021 show to secure places and offset costs that have either been incurred or will be required to support the show in 2021.
Exclusively Digital 2020 will target all retail buyers, trade and consumer press and influencers and current exhibitors are being asked in the first instance to load their product details, videos and press releases to the show website. BHETA and the Exclusively team will be investing in the provision of live and interactive opportunities with both buyers and media to maximise on 2020 product and trend opportunities.
Commenting on the decision, Will Jones, chief operating officer of BHETA and chair of Exclusively said, "Truly, we are living in unprecedented times and the impact on all our businesses and personal lives is very real. While there's no denying we are all facing significant challenges, at some point in the future, a sense of normality will return; and our industry will be able to move forward. The decision we have made regarding Exclusively 2020 reflects the situation in which we find ourselves, but we are marketing Exclusively Digital 2020 as something positive on which we can all collaborate in the meantime to make the best we can of a very challenging set of circumstances." Subhead Exclusively facts Exclusively regularly has over 130 companies and 300 brands participating, representing all the key product categories in the housewares sector and many big names have been part of the show for more than five consecutive years. Retail visitor interest has been increasing over the past few years, a testimony Exclusively's ability to evolve.
Tried and tested features such as Trend Displays, Trend Talks and The Brand Showcase, aimed at media visitors, will remain features of the Exclusively Digital in 2020.
More information can be obtained from the BHETA Member Services Team on 0121 237 1130 or via the website www.bheta.co.uk.
