IHA: New Format, New Products Fueled Strong Exhibitor, Retailer Participation at Inspired Home Show 2024

2024.05.07

The International Housewares Association reported nearly 30,000 home and housewares professionals from more than 120 countries convened at The Inspired Home Show 2024, which concluded its new three-day, two-hall format on March 19 at Chicago’s McCormick Place. The Show featured 1,648 exhibitors from 38 countries, according to IHA.

“The 2024 Show built on the success of last year’s Show with total square feet of exhibition space being slightly higher,” said Derek Miller, IHA president and CEO. “The change to the format was very positive, making the Show incredibly efficient — moving between the three primary Expos, now consolidated into two halls rather than three, was very well received by both exhibitors and buyers,”

Strong support for the Show was demonstrated by the industry through the presence of major key retailers and leading exhibiting brands, IHA reported. Attendees confirmed at the Show included senior-level executives, DMMs, GMMs and buyers from major retailers around the world.

The Show presented more than 400 new and returning companies showcasing their newest products, IHA reported.

A complete list of exhibiting companies and brands, along with product details, can be found on IHA’s Connect 365, the Show’s online directory, or through the mobile app.

The IHA noted the Show featured multiple new and returning attractions:

The New Exhibitor Preview Gallery, featuring brands and products new to the Show.

The gia Global Innovation Awards, honoring excellence in home + housewares retailing, product design and student achievement.

Five keynotes focused on the future of home + housewares trends in consumer and retail evolution, including Beyond Inc.’s executive chairman and the CEO of Bed Bath & Beyond discussing Beyond’s aggressive growth plans and partnerships with suppliers to drive the next wave of industry growth; TelevisaUnivision also examined the surging buying power of Hispanics in the U.S. housewares market.

A robust Innovation Theater session lineup featured industry experts Pam Wood and Renee Badiola of Circana identifying opportunities for growth in Canada and Mexico; Tom Mirabile of Springboard Futures previewing the forthcoming Consumer Value Equation Index, which will be used in IHA reports throughout the year, and InSight™ Trend Index, which will begin posting on HomePage News in early May; Walmart executives discussing the Walmart Marketplace; and Chris Lubick of Verdi Commerce explaining how refurbished housewares opens new market opportunities.

Inspired Women in Housewares event providing networking and a panel discussion with top leaders from YouCopia, Made By Gather and Lifetime Brands sharing challenges and successes as women leaders in the industry.

Housewares Cares Charity Gala, celebrating its 25th Anniversary, benefitting the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, the James Beard Foundation, World Central Kitchen, Feeding America and the Dana Farber Cancer Institute | The Jimmy Fund.

Video and audio recordings from selected Keynotes and Inspiration Theater sessions will be posted later this week on the Show’s website at https://www.theinspiredhomeshow.com/education/