With less than a week until The Inspired Home Show 2025 opens its doors, president and ceo of the International Housewares Association, Derek Miller, tells Housewaresnews.net what can be expected from this year’s event.
What are the plans for the 2025 show? Is there anything new for this year?
Derek: “We’re always looking for ways to add value for both our exhibitors and for our buyer attendees. In 2025, we’ve added a Travel Gear & Luggage expo, a Candle Pavilion (created in partnership with the National Candle Association) and a Pet Product Pavilion (created in partnership with the American Pet Products Association).
“These new destinations give attendees access to an expanded array of industry-related products which are especially in demand for buyers responsible for sourcing items for gifting. We’ve also expanded the Debut section, which is an incubator area featuring up-and-coming home and housewares companies and smaller new-to-the-show exhibitors.”
This year is the 125th anniversary of the show, what do you think is the key to its longevity?
Derek: “It helps to have a strong history and a solid foundation to build on. But as an association, we have to be willing to make adjustments. We have to grow and evolve and most importantly, adapt to changes in our industry, the retail community, with consumers and within the world around us.
“One example is how we will be moving to a weekday pattern for the show next year. (You may have heard the show will take place Tuesday through Thursday – 10-12 March – in 2026.) This move was made after polling the industry and having many conversations with key constituents to determine the most desirable day pattern.”
Will you be celebrating the anniversary at the show?
Derek: “We will have a timeline of key milestones in the Grand Concourse Lobby of McCormick Place. Attendees will also be able to enjoy a video installation commemorating the show’s evolution through the decades. But even as we celebrate this key milestone, IHA’s focus is on the future. We’re constantly working with exhibitors, buyers and retailers to evolve and shape a show that suits their changing needs and helps set them up for success.”
How has the response from both exhibitors and visitors been so far?
Derek: “There’s a lot of excitement and anticipation for The Inspired Home Show 2025. On the exhibitor side, we will have over 1,600 exhibitors participating. That includes more than 250 new or returning exhibitors and a diverse array of long-time market leaders, up-and-coming companies and entrepreneurs.
“Brands and exhibitors that are new to the show or returning after a brief absence include: Pyrex and Snapware (exhibiting in the 1880 booth), Corelle and Corningware (exhibiting in the Anchor Hocking Co. booth, doubling its footprint), Bodum USA, Bormioli Luigi Corporation, Trudeau Corporation, Wilton Brands and Peugeot Smart Living, to name a few.
“On the buyer side, attendees from over 100 countries have registered. This includes a wide array of senior-level executives, DMMs, GMMs and buyers from major retailers. We’re also looking forward to seeing many international representatives from global companies and market-specific retail leaders from a wide range of countries.”
What’s the best thing about the show and why do you think it remains such a key date in the housewares calendar?
Derek: “The Inspired Home Show is known for strong top-to-top meetings between key decision-makers from the world’s leading home and housewares suppliers and influential retailers. Senior managers from both the supplier and buyer sides consistently tell us how beneficial it is to be able to have so many strategic meetings in just three days and all under one roof.
“The show is also known as a key platform for buyers to discover new and innovative products, which will be especially important for growth in the year ahead. We estimate over 20,000 new products will be featured at this year’s show.”
There’s a big emphasis on retailers through the gia programme, is this an important part of the show, and why?
Derek: “Absolutely. The gia award programme is an important platform for recognising excellence and innovation in home and housewares retailing. Since the launch of gia in 2000 (we’re celebrating the 25th anniversary of this programme), there have been close to 600 gia retail award winners, from 57 countries on six continents. By honouring innovative retailers, we hope to inspire others.
“But gia is more than an awards programme. It’s part of a larger education initiative that includes seminars by retail experts, columns in international housewares publications and educational sessions at events in sponsors’ home countries.”
