The Inspired Home Show 2026 Gathers Home & Housewares Industry To Move Business Forward
Participants take advantage of top-level connections, products, trends and new insights
Moving business forward was a major theme at The Inspired Home Show 2026, as home and housewares buyers and sellers from around the world gathered to discover new products, explore new trends and make invaluable connections with top decision-makers.
The International Housewares Association’s (IHA) premier annual marketplace showcased over 1,000 exhibitors, thousands of unique brands, and hundreds of thousands of products to attendees from over 100 countries at Chicago’s McCormick Place from March 10-12, 2026.
“It’s no secret that geopolitical and economic uncertainties have created challenges for retailers and suppliers,” said Derek Miller, IHA president & CEO. “But these uncertainties also come at a time when consumers are increasingly looking to their homes for cooking, entertaining, comfort, wellness and so much more.”
“Senior leaders from both the supplier and buyer sides are telling us how invaluable it was for them to connect in-person at this year’s Show and identify new partners, products, trends and ideas that will help them gain a competitive edge in the year ahead,” he added.
Nearly all the key retailers brought senior-level executives, DMMs, GMMs and buyers to the 2026 Show. U.S.-based buyers alone attending the Show represented more than 100,000 retail locations and nearly $75 billion in buying power.
In addition to key global retailers and country-specific market leaders, the Show also attracted over 1,000 smaller independent retailers. Participating exhibitors included everyone from industry leaders and legacy brands to emerging companies and start-up entrepreneurs.
“Buyers consistently tell us how much they appreciate the opportunity to meet with decision-makers from the biggest players in the industry, but also to discover new, emerging brands from all over the world,” said Miller. “This diverse mix of buyers and sellers creates meaningful opportunities for everyone at the Show.”
The 2026 Show featured multiple new and returning attractions, including:
- Four expos in two halls located conveniently across the Grand Concourse from each other: Clean + Contain, Dine + Décor, Wired + Well, and International Sourcing.
- The Candle Pavilion—created in partnership with the National Candle Association.
- The Pet Products Pavilion—created in partnership with the American Pet Products Association.
- An expanded Debut incubator, highlighting emerging home and housewares companies and smaller new-to-the-Show exhibitors.
- An expanded Inventors Corner, featuring start-up entrepreneurs with fresh ideas and passion projects in the form of a single product.
- Global Design Points, which offered a look into emerging trends from Brazil, Hong Kong, Indonesia and Turkey.
- The Pantone ColorWatch Display, showcasing housewares to match the seven palettes in the Pantone® View Home + Interiors 2027 forecast.
- The new SPLiCE Licensing Hub—produced in partnership with the Society of Product Licensors Committed to Excellence to connect attendees with brands interested in licensing deals.
- The New Exhibitor Gallery, featuring brands and products new to the Show.
- The IHA Global Innovation Awards (gia), honoring excellence in home and housewares retailing, product design and student achievement.
- Four Keynotes focusing on the future of home and housewares with the latest consumer trends, growth opportunities and AI strategies.
- A robust Inspiration Theater session lineup featuring analysis and how-to on a number of retail strategies, consumer trends and business topics such as tariffs and licensing.
- Inspired Women in Housewares, which provided networking and a panel discussion for leaders in the industry.
- Networking events for the entire industry, as well as focused events for independent retailers and young professionals.
This year also marked the first year of The Inspired Home Show’s new mid-week date pattern. Feedback for the new Tuesday – Thursday pattern, which was a result of industry polling, was overwhelmingly positive.
Looking Ahead: The Inspired Home Show 2026
The Inspired Home Show 2027 will take place in Chicago March 9-11, 2027 and will continue on the new Tuesday – Thursday pattern. Registration for attendees is now open. The Space Application for exhibitors will open in May.
Learn more about The Inspired Home Show at TheInspiredHomeShow.com.
