The Inspired Home Show 2020 (formerly the International Home and Housewares Show) will be held in Chicago from March 14 to March 17 with more than 2,200 exhibitors from around the world, including 400 new companies exhibiting for the first time. More than 52,000 total attendees, including buyers from 130 countries, are expected.
Keeping in line with the new, more consumer lifestyle-focus of the event, The Inspired Home Show has reimagined its display areas to better align with retail needs and meet emerging customer demands.
By creating new experiential and display areas, and enhancing those that already exist, the International Housewares Association (IHA) plans to shine a spotlight on new products and innovations and connect them directly to consumer and retailer trends.
Hall of Global Innovation
IHA Market Watch —As part of a new annual report and keynote presentation, IHA will unveil this companion display that features products leading the way on emerging consumer trends.
Smart Retail Experience—Noting today’s challenge of bringing consumers into brick and mortar stores, IHA will feature an experiential retail area in the Smart Home Pavilion demonstrating multiple ways to enhance the in-store experience, including augmented reality, RFID product recognition and information, heightened POS display opportunities and the ability to purchase customised, out-of-inventory items in an on-site environment.
b8ta—The “retail as a service” model is back for another year. Retailers can experience progressive, new gadgets while also learning about how innovative uses of store space can add to revenue and drive new customer bases.
Celebration of Coffee Pavilion—Now in its second year, Celebration of Coffee shines a spotlight on the movement toward authentic, highly-sensory coffee experiences in the home with an exhibit in the Wired + Well Expo. Both a display of products and destination for education about how coffee consumption is evolving, this area reflects a partnership between IHA, the Specialty Coffee Association and Counter Culture of Chicago to help retailers capitalise on the consumer passion for an unparalleled coffee experience.
Hall of Global Product Design
Brand new displays curating innovative and design-focused products from around the globe, along with future housewares concepts, are spotlighted in the new Hall of Global Innovation.
IHA Global Innovation Awards (gia) for Product Design —See 70 of the best-of-the-best new products for 2020. Hand-selected by an expert panel as the most innovative of the year, one finalist in each of the 14 categories will be named Global Honoree at the gala gia dinner.
IHA Global Innovation Awards (gia) for Student Design—The next generation of product designers demonstrate their ideas and explain their concepts for the future of housewares. Be inspired by their energy and vision.
DISCOVER | design Gallery— A curated collection of elegantly and intelligently designed products from around the world. The museum-like gallery leads to the Discover | design Expo where buyers will find high-end, design-forward concepts from across product categories and around the globe, many being seen for the first time at The Inspired Home Show.
New, Notable and Trending
Pantone ColorWatch —Pantone unveils the eight color palettes representing the strongest home furnishing trends for 2021. Accompanying the palettes are showcases with exhibitor’s products in the forecasted colors. Buyers can browse the display on the way to the exhibit floor and find products they desire in the color trends of the future.
New Product Showcases—Featuring hundreds of new products making their debut at the Show. To help buyers find the new products or new suppliers on the Show floor, they will be able to scan products of interest and receive a list of the exhibitors and booth numbers before they leave the Buyers Club.
IHA Global Innovations Awards (gia) for Retail Excellence—Be inspired by the innovation in retailer merchandising excellence around the world. This display will see 32 retail winners from 31 countries featured on banners and in individual displays. Five lucky retailers also will be named Global Honorees when they are announced at the gia gala dinner.