The Inspired Home Show opens today 10 March and buyers and exhibitors are gearing up for yet another fantastic event at North America’s largest event for the home and housewares industry
The Inspired Home Show 2026 opens its doors today 10 March in Chicago, running across the week until 12 March. With a host of US and international brands, the event takes place March 10-12 at Chicago’s McCormick Place. More than 2,000 brands – think Lenox and Riedel amongst others – the Show, which is organised annually by the International Housewares Association (IHA), is North America’s largest event for the home and housewares industry.
One of the big draws of this event is the types of retailers it attracts with buyers from US stores such as Nordstrom, Costco, Macys, Kohls, Crate & Barrel, Amazon and more, expected at the event. There is an international buying contingent also expected with Dunelm and Robert Dyas amongst the UK names at the event, along with QVC and Rewe Germany and many more.
“Especially in today’s competitive market, The Show is a critical platform for discovering innovative new items, building partnerships and getting ahead of the curve,” said IHA president & CEO Derek Miller. “It’s an incredible way to meet so many people and discover so many opportunities all under one roof and in just three days.”
The Inspired Home Show 2026 includes four expos in two halls located conveniently across the Grand Concourse from each other: Clean + Contain, Dine + Décor, Wired + Well, and International Sourcing. It will also feature attractions including the Debut incubator, Global Design Points pavilions from Brazil, Hong Kong, Indonesia and Turkey, and the Inventors Corner.
New to the 2026 Show will be the SPLiCE Licensing Hub – a destination produced in partnership with the Society of Product Licensors Committed to Excellence – that will connect retailers and product suppliers with brands interested in licensing deals.
In addition, both the Pet Products Pavilion and the Candle Pavilion, which made their debuts at the 2025 Show, will return. Other popular destinations include the Pantone ColorWatch Display, New Product Showcases, and galleries featuring finalists and winners of IHA’s Global Innovation Awards (gia) in Product, Retail and Student Design.
This year, 2026, will mark the first year of the show’s new Tuesday – Thursday day pattern. Following extensive feedback, IHA determined that the shift to midweek best aligns the show with the industry’s evolving needs and expectations.