attendee show services

Take advantage of these great services designed to make your Show experience easy and productive. From getting to the Show to getting online, we’ve thought of you and what you’ll need. Contact Perry Reynolds for more information on these services.

Register Now and Save the $100 On-Site Registration Fee* (back to top)

***Trade Guest/Supplier/Financial Institution
The International Housewares Association (IHA) reserves the right to charge up to $500 per Trade Guest/Supplier/ Financial Institution for their badge and limit the number of badges per company to five (5), solely at its discretion, to enhance the quality and overall experience of the Show for all participants. IHA also reserves the right to make changes, as necessary, to the category of badge registration-type submitted by an individual or a company as a whole. Should it be necessary to change the registration type after their request has been submitted via telephone, fax, email or website, a representative of IHA will contact the individual or company, requesting payment of the amount due. Should a charge be imposed, payment must be submitted in advance of receiving a badge.

NEW - Childcare Services (back to top)

IHA is pleased to announce our partnership with KiddieCorp, who will be providing childcare services at the upcoming 2009 International Home + Housewares Show.

  • The childcare service is for children ages 1 through 12.
  • Childcare services will be located within the McCormick Place Convention Center.
  • Pricing is provided in the registration form below.
  • The dates and times of the program are as follows:

    Sunday, March 22 8:00 am – 6:30 pm
    Monday, March 23 8:00 am – 6:30 pm
    Tuesday, March 24 8:00 am – 5:30 pm

View the documents below for more information or to pre-register your child/children:

Special Clubs Just For Buyers (back to top)

Here’s a place at the Show to catch your breath, relax a little, pick up your e-mail and voice mail. BUYERS ONLY are invited into this club. Buyers Clubs are located in each building at McCormick Place.

Locations are:

  • Lakeside Center, Level 3 Lobby
  • North Building Exhibit Hall
  • South Building Exhibit Hall

Once again, the New Product Showcases will be categorized in each of the Buyers Clubs. Don’t miss out on what’s new at the Show! You’ll also find all these services waiting for you in a relaxed environment:

  • Concierge Services
  • Internet Access
  • Complimentary Snacks and Light Refreshments
  • WiFi
  • Product Locators

Also FOR BUYERS ONLY: Don’t miss the discounted lunch near the Buyers Clubs in each building ($10.00 Value)

Coat and Luggage Check (back to top)

Complimentary coat and luggage check will be available in each building at McCormick Place. Hours will be:

Day: Times:
Sunday, March 16 7:00am - 7:00pm
Monday, March 17 7:00am - 7:30pm
Tuesday, March 18 6:30am - 5:00pm

Locations are:

  • Lakeside Center: Exhibit Hall E, Level 2
  • North Building: N139
  • South Building: S102, Gate 26 & Gate 4

Pre-Show Planning/One Site Product Locators (back to top)

Get connected to the International Home + Housewares Show Online! In advance of the Show, create a list of exhibitors that you need to visit, keep up on the latest Show events and then access that personal briefcase information while you’re at the physical Show. While here, take advantage of the Product Locators and E-mail Stations. If you’re looking for a particular product or exhibit, simply type in the product name, category or company name and you’ll find exactly where it’s located on the exhibit floor. Floor plan maps will be available in the back of the onsite Show Directory. This year’s Online Show allows you to search for exhibitors, search for specific products or check your Internet-based e-mail. Online Show/Product Locators/E-mail Stations are available in all three buildings.

Innovation Alert - NEW (back to top)

Look for this comprehensive listing of 100s of the Show’s new products, which will arrive in each registered buyer’s email 10 days before the Show. Use this tool to plan your visit and efficiently discover the latest in industry innovation in every aisle of the Show.

International Business Center (back to top)
Level 3 Lobby,
Lakeside Center

The International Business Center, located in the Level 3 Lobby of the Lakeside Center, offers all international visitors general Show information, U.S. Department of Commerce information desk, interpreters, e-mail access, free internet access including WiFi, refreshments and hospitality areas. Representatives from IHA’s International Offices are also available to assist buyers and exhibitors with international business questions.

IHRA Hospitality and Business Center (back to top)

Room S101b, Level 1
South Building

Members of the International Housewares Representatives Association are invited to stop by Room S101b, Level 1, South Building, for refreshments and to use the services offered, including Lines Available, a message center and tables for meetings. Manufacturers and non-member reps are also invited to stop by to learn about this association for home, housewares, gourmet and hardware reps and its services, which include a referral service for manufacturers seeking reps and reps seeking lines.

Exhibit Floor Meeting Rooms (back to top)

Complimentary meeting rooms are located on the exhibit floor of each building and are available to registered retailers and exhibitors. To reserve a room before the Show, contact Tina Usrey at 847-692-0133. During the Show, see the receptionist outside of each meeting room to determine availability. Exact locations of meeting rooms are depicted on the floor plans included in this mailing.

Show Offices (back to top)

Lakeside Center
Room E250, Level 2

North Building
Room N426a/b

Show offices are located in the Lakeside Center and North Building. In the Lakeside Center, the office is in Room E250 on Level 2; in the North Building, it is in Room N426a/b above the Grand Concourse Lobby.

Visa Letters (back to top)

Attendees who require a visa to enter the U.S.will be able to request an official invitation letter to the Show during the online registration process.

Free Shuttle Bus Service (back to top)

Better than ever, our FREE shuttle bus service transports attendees between the hotels and McCormick Place on Show days. Check the Transportation Guide for pickup locations and additional transportation information or visit www.housewares.org. Shuttle bus service will be available in all three buildings

2008 Shuttle Bus Service Hours

Sunday - Monday
From hotels: 7:00 – 10:30 a.m.
To hotels: 3:00 – 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday
From hotels: 6:30 – 10:30 a.m.
To hotels: 3:00 – 6:30 p.m.

Free Metra Train (back to top)

Take advantage of the free Metra train to and from McCormick Place in 2008 — The McCormick Place train station is located under the South Building and can be accessed from the Grand Concourse on Level 2.5. Your complimentary train pass is included in the Transportation Guide mailed with your Show badge and will also be available on-site.

CNN Headline News (back to top)

CNN Headline News combines the live broadcast of CNN “Headline News” with up-to-the-minute Show information in a series of 10 multi-media kiosks located throughout McCormick Place. Interspersed among news segments will be exhibitors’ commercials, segments on Show events and information on other IHA activities.

Literature Kiosks (back to top)

Grand Concourse Lobby; Lakeside Center
Level 3 Lobby

Literature kiosks offer a quick look at product sales literature, Show specials and announcements. Interested in more detailed information? Follow up with a visit to the company’s booth.

Accommodations for the Physically Challenged (back to top)

Wheelchairs, information booths, designated parking, TDD telephones and other services are available. McCormick Place is in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and continues to look for ways to accommodate all visitors. For questions regarding accommodations for the physically challenged, please call The Mobility Shop at 888-404-5554. To view their services online, go to www.themobilityshop.com. For questions about designated parking, call Standard Parking Hotline at 312-595-5201.

Attendee Code of Conduct (back to top)

For the safety and security of all Show attendees, we ask your cooperation with the following Show policies:

  • The International Home + Housewares Shows is for trade only. Individuals who cannot document their direct, professional affiliation to the trade will not be admitted.
  • McCormick Place is a smoke-free facility, including exhibit halls, meeting rooms, lobbies, food service areas, hallways and parking garages. There are designated smoking areas outside of the North and South Buildings and Lakeside Center.
  • Attendees are not permitted to bring any photographic equipment on the exhibit floor or take photos of any booth or product. Unauthorized photography of any exhibit or product is prohibited and may result in the confiscation of film, memory cards and cameras as well as expulsion from the Show.
  • As a safety issue, no strollers will be permitted on the exhibit floor at any time.
  • On Show days only, individuals under the age of 18 are admitted free of charge, but must be registered as a Trade Guest and accompanied by an adult at all times. A parent or guardian must accept responsibility for the safety and behavior of children.  Childcare services are available at the Show and must be arranged at least 60 days prior to the Show.
  • Only Buyers and Manufacturer Reps are allowed to leave the exhibit floor with product, and only if they have a Sample Merchandise Pass signed by the exhibiting company.
  • Trade Guests are not allowed to remove product from the Show floor. 
  • All Trade Guests are admitted to the Show as guests of the industry and are asked to respect the wishes of exhibitors and buyers as they conduct their business.