Exhibitor registration and badge registration for The Inspired Home Show 2025 is now open to retailers, manufacturers, news media and other trade guest classifications.
The show, scheduled for March 2 to 4 2025 at Chicago’s McCormick Place Complex, will be the 125th show held since 1939. Special events and celebrations marking the milestone will be announced soon.
In 2023, the show introduced a newly configured layout using the North/South building complex and three-day schedule. The show will open on Sunday 2 March and close on Tuesday 4 March from 8:30am to 5:30pm each day. A power hour from 5:30pm to 6:30pm on Sunday and Monday allows buyers and exhibitors to complete meetings in progress at show end.
In addition to new products from each housewares category on display, the show will introduce several new categories. In partnership with the National Candle Association, the show will feature a Candle Pavilion and the South Hall will debut a Pet Pavilion planned in co-operation with the American Pet Products Association.
As previously announced, the show is adding a Travel Gear + Luggage Expo, bringing together a curated collection of leading travel goods suppliers anchored by notable brands including Bugatti, Dejuno, Olympia Luggage, Travelers Club Luggage and Travelon.
An expanded Debut section, an incubator program dedicated to new and emerging companies with newly released products, will give 24 companies the opportunity to showcase their brands and products.
New product inspiration
The new Exhibitor Gallery in the North and South Hall cafés will feature product displays showcasing new exhibitors, complete with signage identifying company name and booth number.
New product showcases in the Buyers Clubs in the North and South Halls present new products by their respective expos. Buyers and news media can scan products of interest and receive a print-out for booth visit follow-up.
The IHA Global Innovation Awards (gia) for Product Design Excellence are highlighted in a display in the Hall of Global Innovation in the Grand Concourse Lobby. 70 finalists in 14 categories are featured. The IHA gia program is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2025.
First Look for Media is an exclusive search in Connect 365, the show’s online directory, for news media to find new products from show exhibitors.
The Global Design Points/Country Pavilion program features design-driven products from around the world.
New perspectives through education
The Inspiration Theater will offer educational sessions each day in S101a, next to the keynote sessions in S102, both on level one of the South Building. The Inventors Revue will hold ‘Pitch to the Pros’ sessions on the South Hall exhibit floor.
New connections through networking
Free lunch will be available for buyers and news media in the cafés in the North and South Halls all three days.
A Celebration of Independents is an invitation-only reception for independent retailers on Saturday 1 March. Housewares Young Professionals Event (HYPE) is an annual networking event hosted by the Young Professionals Advisory Council on Sunday 2 March from 5:30pm to 7pm.
The Global Innovation Awards (gia) Gala invitation-only event on Sunday evening recognises and honours the best in home and housewares retailing, product design and student innovation with the announcement of the Global Honorees.
All show participants are invited to the Networking After Dark Reception to continue discussions and network over cocktails and hors d’oeuvres on Monday 3 March from 5:30pm to 7pm in the S100/Grand Ballroom of the South Building.
Housewares Charity Foundation Housewares Cares Gala will honour industry executives for their philanthropic efforts on Monday 3 March from 6pm to 9pm at the Four Seasons Hotel.