The International Housewares Association (IHA) has announced that it is changing the name of Chicago’s International Home + Housewares Show (IH+HS) to The Inspired Home Show, IHA’s Global Home + Housewares Market in 2020.
The development reflects societal trends and is part of the Association’s expansion of The Inspired Home platform. The platform was created to align with consumer trends that are shifting from functional home design to a focus on aspirational lifestyles.
The announcement has been made as the IHA and global housewares industry counts down to this year’s IH+HS, which opens its doors on Saturday (March 2, 10am through to March 5, 3pm) at Chicago’s McCormick Place. The show is sold out, with more than 2,200 exhibitors from more than 50 countries, including 400 new companies exhibiting for the first time.
Commenting on the name change, John Collins, president/cmo of Neatfreak and current IHA chairman explains: “The IHA board of directors, IHA staff and our external design partners have been working on this change for over a year. We started with a blank canvas to develop a name and brand that would set the right tone for the industry, positioning our Show for the future.”
He continues: “In the end, we leveraged our existing consumer brand, The Inspired Home, extending it to the trade as we found a clear convergence between product suppliers, retailers and consumers through lifestyle branding.”
Derek Miller, president of IHA adds: “As the premier home and housewares event in the world, our members, exhibitors and retail attendees expect a Show that reflects current trends and attitudes. The Inspired Home Show will maintain all relevant aspects of the International Home + Housewares Show while introducing new elements that help product suppliers and retailers meet the needs of the changing consumer marketplace.”
Derek points out that this is not the first time that IHA has changed the name of its annual event to align with dynamics in the industry and with the consumer. Until 2003, the event was known as the “International Housewares Show,” changing to the “International Home + Housewares Show” in 2004.
The Inspired Home Show, IHA’s Home + Housewares Market will have an updated look and feel that is closely aligned to the current The Inspired Home consumer platform, incorporating lifestyle imagery and classic colours.
The Show will remain a trade-only event at in Chicago and will maintain its five sectors, with dine + decor located in the South Hall; clean + contain, Discover Design and International Sourcing located in the North Hall; and wired + well located in Lakeside Centre.
In addition to IHA’s current website (www.housewares.org), The Inspired Home Show will be supported on a new website found at TheInspiredHomeShow.com
Next year’s show will take place March 14-17 2020.
Top: The new logo for The Inspired Home Show.
