The Big Show Will Go On

It has been nearly two years since our industry last gathered in person for NRF’s Big Show in 2020. Just two months later, everything changed with the onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic. For over 20 months, retailers have been working closely with health officials and medical experts to design and implement policies and procedures that have kept their stores, employees and customers safe. And most important, they kept their stores open to the communities and the neighbors they serve.

While the recent surge in the omicron variant is very concerning, NRF continues working with local, state and federal health officials to ensure that we not only meet but greatly exceed safety guidelines and COVID-19 protocols at NRF 2022: Retail’s Big Show at the Javits Center in New York City, Jan. 16-18.

We are encouraged by Mayor Eric Adams’ stated desire to keep New York City open. The overwhelming sentiment from our members, exhibitors, retailers, partners and attendees is that we should go forward with the show. As we move from pandemic to endemic — a new environment in which we say life can and should go on — there’s going to be friction as we adjust. This year’s show is a step forward, and we believe it’s a necessary and meaningful one.

NRF’s 112th?annual convention is on track to convene up to 20,000 attendees, 750 exhibitors and 300+ speakers. The Javits Center has installed state-of-the-art sanitation and filtration systems, and the newly renovated North Hall allows us to have far more square footage to accommodate our attendees.

We fully understand that for some this year’s show just isn’t possible, and we look forward to hosting you in 2023.

For those of you who are joining us in person for NRF 2022, please find our current health and safety protocols here. We look forward to our time together at the Big Show!