Exhibition News June 2020 | Page 13

News Focus The UK’s biggest B2C show moves to 2021 “The Ideal Home Show has been successfully running now for over 112 years, and to date it has survived two world wars, recessions and depressions, stock market crashes, snowstorms, floods, heatwaves and many Labour and Conservative governments” Media 10, the organiser behind The Ideal Home Show, has issued a statement to stakeholders informing them that the show will not take place this July 2020. “Following the UK government’s recent announcement and guidelines with regards to our exit from the current period of lockdown, we feel running an event in July is simply not viable. The safety and wellbeing of our staff, exhibitors, sponsors, visitors, partners, and contractors is of the utmost importance to us, and the protection and prevention of harm to all involved is vital.” Lee Newton, CEO, Media 10, told EN: “The Ideal Home Show has been successfully running now for over 112 years, and to date it has survived two world wars, recessions and depressions, stock market crashes, snowstorms, floods, heatwaves and many Labour and Conservative governments. “It has been running when our nation has experienced punk rock, Mad Cow disease, the Falklands War, national strikes, venue price hikes, the congestion charge, the Boris Bike and the creation of the internet. It was even bombed by the IRA in 1976. But like any great institutions it is organic and relies very much on what is happening around it. We have to know when to change, when to put things on hold, and prepare for a new future. Don’t panic, the Ideal Home Show has only been furloughed right now, and it will be back in all its glory next year.” The show was originally scheduled to take place at Olympia London on 27 March 2020 but was forced to postpone to 25 July following the outbreak. The event is now scheduled to take place from 26 March- 11 April 2021. The show’s lucrative three-year ITV deal remains, with the television company taking a large stand at the event where it will be selling tours of shows including Coronation Street and merchandise to fans. The 2021 show will also feature a Love Island Garden, I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! Jungle Garden and Coronation Street’s iconic pub: The Rovers Return. Facts about Ideal Home Show » Founded in 1908 by the Daily Mail » It was originally formed to drive advertising revenue for the newspaper » The vacuum cleaner, electric kettle and the toaster all made their debut at the show » The show closed between 1939- 1947 because of WW2 » In 1957 the show recorded over 1.5m visitors » HRH Queen Elizabeth has visited the show 11 times » The Rolling Stones, Tom Jones and Eric Morecambe are among some of the famous faces to attend the show » Media 10 took over the show in 2008 June — 13