ROSEMONT, ILL. (Oct. 21, 2024)—Badge registration for The Inspired Home Show® 2025 is now open. Retail attendees, manufacturers’ representatives, news media and other trade guest classifications can now register for a Show badge at TheInspiredHomeShow.com/register. Exhibitor registration will be open in mid-October. The Show, to be held for three full days March 2-4 at Chicago’s McCormick Place Complex, will be the 125th Show held since 1939.
Special events and celebrations marking the milestone are being planned and will be announced in the next few months. Last year, the Show introduced a newly configured layout using the North/South building complex and running over three full days. The Show will open on Sunday, March 2 and close on Tuesday, March 4 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. each day. A power hour from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Sunday and Monday will allow buyers and exhibitors to complete meetings in progress at Show end; appointments are recommended.
In addition to the thousands of new products from each housewares category on display, the Show will introduce several new categories to create distinct destinations for buyers. In partnership with the National Candle Association, the Show will feature a Candle Pavilion including both large and small suppliers. In addition, the South Hall will debut a Pet Pavilion planned in cooperation with the American Pet Products Association, with a strong focus on higher-end giftable products.
As announced last summer, 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. The expo will be positioned in the South Building and located at the top of the escalators leading into the hall from the Level 1 registration area. This positioning will give buyers easy and direct access to this new section of the Show.
Although it has been part of past Shows, an expanded “Debut” section, an incubator program that is dedicated to new and emerging companies with newly released products, will give 24 companies the opportunity to showcase their brands and products to the industry.
Returning to the Show will be displays, events and more opportunities to find innovation and inspiration.
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 will be able to 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. Seventy 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 ahead of the Show.
- 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 Show day in S101a, next to the Keynote sessions in S102, both on Level 1 of the South Building.
- The Inventors Revue will hold “Pitch to the Pros” sessions in its location on the South Hall exhibit floor.
New Connections Through Networking
- Free lunch for buyers and news media in the cafés in the North and South Halls all three days.
- A Celebration of Independents – An invitation-only reception for independent retailers on Saturday, March 1.
- Housewares Young Professionals Event (HYPE) – An annual networking event hosted by the Young Professionals Advisory Council on Sunday, March 2 from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
- Global Innovation Awards (gia) Gala – Celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2025, this invitation-only event on Sunday night recognizes and honors the best in home and housewares retailing, product design and student innovation with the announcement of the Global Honorees.
- Networking After Dark Reception – All Show participants are invited to continue Show discussions and network over cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, Monday, March 2 from 5:30 – 7 p.m. S100/Grand Ballroom, South Building.
- Housewares Charity Foundation Housewares Cares Gala – Honoring industry executives for their philanthropic efforts, Monday, March 3 from 6 – 9 p.m. at the Four Seasons Hotel. Tickets to support the charity and to attend the gala will be available online at HousewaresCharity.org.
For more information about Show events, visit TheInspiredHomeShow.com/events. The Inspired Home Show, IHA’s global home + housewares marketplace, will be held Sunday – Tuesday, March 2-4 at Chicago’s McCormick Place Complex. For more information about the 2025 Show and to register for a Show badge, please visit TheInspiredHomeShow.com/register. To search for new products that will be at the Show visit Connect 365, the Show’s online directory.
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The International Housewares Association is the 86-year-old voice of the housewares industry. The not-for-profit, full-service association sponsors the world’s premier exposition of products for the home, The Inspired Home Show, IHA’s Global Home + Housewares Market (TheInspiredHomeShow.com), and offers its member companies a wide range of services, including industry and government advocacy; export assistance; industry and consumer trends through various industry reports; executive management peer groups; group buying discounts on business solutions services; and an independent news and information platform through HomePageNews.com.
