Frequently Asked Questions

The world’s premier trade fair for handmade businesses, h+h cologne is coming to North America in 2022! We’re incredibly excited to combine the physical trade fair presence with a digital marketplace for a B2B trade show experience. h+h americas is open to anyone who makes a living in the soft crafts industry. The show will unite the fiber arts community and ignite the Chicagoland area each June, starting in 2022. 

Attendees can participate in h+h americas by exhibiting and attending classes, workshops, and other events. To better familiarize potential exhibitors with the event, we’ve put together a list of Frequently Asked Questions that we will continue updating in order to provide the best, most comprehensive information. 

When is h+h americas?

h+h americas takes place from June 22-24, 2022. The hours of operation for the trade show are as follows:

Wednesday, June 22, 4:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Thursday, June 23, 8:00 am – 6:00 pm

Friday, June 24, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm

The date for setting up exhibitor booths starts June 20, 2022 and must be finished by June 22, 2022 4:30 pm

The date for dismantling exhibitor booths starts at 5:00 pm on June 24, 2022

Where is h+h americas taking place? 

h+h americas takes place at the Donald E. Stephens Convention & Conference Center located in the village of Rosemont, located in Chicago, Illinois. You can learn more about the convention center here

To see the convention center’s floor plan, full list of amenities, and contact information, click here.  

Who can be an exhibitor at h+h americas? 

h+h americas is open to businesses throughout the fiber arts industry. These include: 

  • Handicraft Accessories / Material 
  • Acrylic / Textile / Oil / Water Paints 
  • Needlework Implements • Knitting, Embroidery, Rug and Crochet Thread / Yarn / Wool – Fabrics
  • Sewing / Knitting / Embroidery Machines and Accessories 
  • Haberdashery 
  • Literature 
  • Tapestry / Gobelin 
  • Undecorated Apparel & Accessories 
  • Quilting Supplies & Tools 
  • Jewelry / Bead Supplies 
  • Laces & Trims 
  • Lace Making / Tatting / Macrame Supplies 
  • Fiberfill / Batting / Interfacing 
  • Buttons / Fasteners / Misc. Hardware 
  • eCommerce 
  • Marketing Services 
  • Packaging 

Why should I become an exhibitor at h+h americas? 

Right now, there is no other major trade fair uniting the fiber arts community. As an exhibitor at h+h americas, your business is in a unique position to reach hundreds of other businesses in the industry, creating opportunities to network, forge connections, increase your offerings, see 

new products, demonstrate your business’s value, and grow your reach. There is no better place to cultivate your business! 

You can read more about the benefits of being an exhibitor at h+h americas here

How much does it cost to be an exhibitor at h+h americas? 

The cost to be an h+h americas exhibitor varies, so we highly recommend checking out our booth cost calculator for an estimate.

How do I apply to be an exhibitor at h+h americas? 

You can apply to be an exhibitor at h+h americas online by visiting this page and filling out the online form. 

Is there a deadline for applying to h+h americas? 

We are currently accepting exhibitor applications and will continue to do so until all available spaces are filled, or one week before the show, whichever comes first.

How many exhibitors and attendees do you expect for h+h americas? 

Our goal is to reach 200 exhibitors, with 2,000-3,000 attendees. Part of what we love about this trade fair is its ability to unite so many different people and businesses from various backgrounds and disciplines, creating a melting pot of blended crafts from exhibitors from the small artisan to the big box store. 

Where can I stay in Rosemont, Illinois? 

We have a block of hotel rooms set aside for h+h americas attendees. You can see the full list here

What is there to do in Rosemont, Illinois? 

We encourage you to browse the Village of Rosemont’s website for more information on the shops, restaurants, bars, and businesses in the area. You can also read our blog post gathering fun things to do in the area.

What about COVID restrictions? 

We’re working closely with city and state officials to determine the measure of restrictions—if any—that will need to be imposed as we move into the new year. The response to COVID and measures undertaken to handle the pandemic are in a constant state of flux; as such, we cannot predict at this time what kinds of restrictions will be in place by the summer of 2022. Exhibitors can sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest information and updates regarding our response to the pandemic situation.

Are there any hygiene and safety protocols?

The centerpiece of a trade fair is the personal contact. In accordance with the requirements of the state of Illinois, we have instituted numerous measures to ensure professional safety at the highest level and create an environment in which your business can grow again.

 

  1. The state of IL currently mandates wearing a mask
  2. Please keep 1.5 m/6 feet distance
  3. Handshakes are discouraged
  4. Please disinfect your hands frequently
  5. Clean and disinfect your stand area frequently
  6. We ensure increased ventilation in the exhibition halls
  7. We ask you to please stay at home if you do not feel well
  8. We track attendance so that in the event of an outbreak, communication and contact tracing is possible

 

To enter the trade fair you need to show proof of COVID-19 status: either full vaccination, recovery, or a current negative test result that is no older than 48 hours. Paper or digital proof is accepted. Full definitions of these statuses are below.

 

Status “vaccinated”

For “vaccinated” status, full vaccination must have occurred at least 14 days prior with a vaccine accepted in the USA, such as BioNTech/Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson. Full vaccination means that the second dose has also been administered, provided two doses are required for the vaccine in question.

Status “recovered”

For the “recovered” status, infection must have occurred at minimum 28 days and no more than six months prior. Once six months have passed, the “recovered” status expires. You will then need a negative test result or vaccination.

Status “tested”

A current negative test result is required for the “tested” status. The result must be confirmed by an official test center. Proof is accepted in paper or digital form. Please note that your test result must not be older than 48 hours (antigen test and PCR test). This may require a new test if you wish to enter the trade fair grounds on more than one day, so time your tests accordingly.

What happens if COVID prevents me from attending h+h americas? What is your cancellation policy? 

Because of the precarity of the pandemic situation, we’ve instituted a Customer First Assurance Policy. If you decide—for any reason—before March 21, 2022, that you cannot participate in the show, you have the option of either receiving a full refund or transferring your exhibitor status to h+h americas 2023. 

If your decision to cancel arises after March 21, 2022, we can no longer provide a refund but can still transfer your exhibitor status to h+h americas 2023.

I have more questions! Who can I contact? 

We’re happy to answer any and all questions you may have. You can submit questions online here