Discounted rates and payment flexibility are latest efforts to help industry navigate tariff volatility
ROSEMONT, ILL. (July 1, 2025)—As part of its mission to maximize the success of the home and housewares industry, the International Housewares Association (IHA) announced today a Tariff Relief Program to provide support and flexibility for companies interested in exhibiting at the industry’s most important event – The Inspired Home Show. This program includes discounted space rates, an extension of the early application deadline and payment flexibility for the 2026 Show (to be held March 10-12).
“With tariffs reshaping the consumer goods landscape, The Inspired Home Show offers a critical venue for gaining a competitive edge, finding sourcing alternatives and connecting with industry leaders,” said Derek Miller, IHA president & CEO. “The Tariff Relief Program is designed to alleviate barriers to participation as the 2026 Show may be one of the most important yet for housewares suppliers to navigate shifting market dynamics and connect face-to-face with the buying community.”
Central to the Tariff Relief Program is a discount of $4 per square foot – approximately 17% – on exhibit space for members (this is on top of a previously announced rate freeze from 2025). The new discount will be applied to all member exhibiting companies, whether they’ve already signed up and/or paid for the 2026 Show or if they apply in coming months.
In addition, the early application deadline of July 7, 2025 has been extended to July 21, 2025. As in years past, companies will still be able to apply after July 21 in the regular application period; however, there is a cost-savings and other benefits involved with membership and submitting early applications.
The third component of the relief plan involves payment flexibility. Some companies may choose to pay in full by July 21 with a full refund offered by August 29. However, there are also two payment plans that allow for staggered payments over the coming months. No matter which payment scenario a company chooses, the $4 per square foot discount will still apply.
Complete details on the application periods, deadlines and payment plans can be found on the Show website. Current or potential exhibitors may also be interested in a related FAQ document.
IHA’s Board of Directors and staff developed the new Tariff Relief Program to help members and the industry during this turbulent period.
“Fortunately, IHA is in solid fiscal health, having rebuilt financial reserves through careful management to a level just under where we were in 2019 before the pandemic,” said Miller. “This has allowed us to adjust and provide additional support to members in these uncertain economic times.”
In recent months, IHA has introduced several initiatives to help members navigate tariffs, including educational webinars, advocacy campaigns and partnerships. All of these initiatives, in addition to a wide variety of sourcing and other resources, are available on IHA’s Tariff Resources page.
IHA’s upcoming executive networking and education conference – Chief Housewares Executive SuperSession or CHESS – will also focus on navigating tariffs and global sourcing issues. This event, which will be held October 7-8, 2025, will include a variety of education sessions tackling timely topics involving more responsive supply chains, workforce optimization, and the latest retail and consumer intelligence.
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The International Housewares Association (IHA) is the 87-year-old voice of the home and housewares industry, dedicated to bringing buyers and sellers together. IHA hosts the world’s premier exposition of products for the home, The Inspired Home Show, in Chicago every March. Each year, the Show brings together more than 2,000 unique brands and 300,000 products with both global and domestic buyers; U.S.-based attendees alone represent more than 100,000 retail locations and over $64 billion in buying power. The not-for-profit, full-service association also offers member companies a wide range of services including industry and government advocacy; export assistance; trend reports; executive management peer groups; group buying discounts; and an independent news and information platform, HomePageNews.com.
