The lingering Covid pandemic back in September caused the annual Private Label Trade Show to be delayed from Nov. 14-16 to Jan. 30- Feb. 1. Today (Dec. 13) its sponsors canceled it altogether.
“This action was taken for a number of reasons, all related to the impact of COVID-19 on the safe movement of exhibitors and visitors who annually attend our [suburban] Chicago show,” said PLMA President Peggy Davies, president of the Private Label Manufacturers Assn.
“Because of the surge in cases nationwide, we are seeing an extension into 2022 of corporate travel limitations, if not new outright bans,” Davies continued. “With the onset of colder weather and more indoor gatherings, an uptick in cases in the U.S. was predicted by most experts, but its extent has been greater than anticipated.
"In addition, the outbreak of the Omicron variant has exacerbated the COVID-19 situation overseas, resulting in the imposition of tougher restrictions on all international travel. This makes passage to Chicago by all trade show participants highly problematic."
Davies noted that PLMA has plans for three major trade shows for retailers and store brand manufacturers during 2022: PLMA Global, a new online event set for March 28-31; the annual World of Private Label show in Amsterdam, May 31-June 1; and the traditional fall Chicago show, Nov. 13-15.
