Official Statement:

Monday, March 16, 2020 -- Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, Marketplace Events has cancelled 10 events, including the Fairgrounds Southern Ideal Home Show, and postponed five other shows originally scheduled to take place between March 13 to April 19, 2020.

Unless prohibited by public health authorities, Marketplace Events will run their fall 2020 shows and full roster of 75 shows scheduled for 2021.

As with previous cancellations since the company’s inception in 2008, Marketplace Events will apply exhibitor payments to future shows, not refund exhibitor payments. For consumers who already purchased tickets to attend one of the 15 shows, Marketplace Events is offering options to use tickets for any other show in the market produced by the company in 2020 or 2021, donating the cost of their ticket to Habitat for Humanity or receiving a refund. To donate or receive a refund, consumers should complete this form.

The company has cancelled events in the past in West Palm Beach, New Orleans and most recently, in suburban Washington, D.C. and Raleigh – all due to severe weather, and have followed the same policy in all cases.

The decision to rollover exhibitor payments to future shows is not one taken lightly. Under these extraordinary circumstances we can best balance the long-term needs of our customers by doing what is necessary now to ensure these shows continue in the future. Carrying over exhibitor payments is critical to making sure that happens.

The company also announced today two weeks of mandatory vacation for all employees to begin March 23 through April 3. Anyone who calls or emails their show team during this shutdown will be directed to the proper senior manager who will respond during this two-week period.

Thank you for your patience. Be safe.

Tom Baugh
CEO, Marketplace Events