Dear Home + Housewares Industry Executive,
Our industry has simply changed.
If we compare snapshots from twenty, ten and even five years ago with where we are in 2026, the industry looks vastly different. Consumers, retailers and product suppliers have all changed, each adapting to new opportunities and ways of engaging with the market. Today, there are new and emerging methods used to research, buy and sell that are vastly different from even a few years ago.
Trade fairs have also changed. The Hardware Show completely changed their business model; KBIS and HomeBuilders successfully co-located; Ambiente, once occupying the entire Messe Frankfurt campus, now partners with Christmasworld and Creativeworld to fill the space. New thinking, joining forces and combining resources have created fairs that are more meaningful, efficient and impactful. Evaluating what works and not being afraid to forge new pathways to success are more important now than ever.
The Inspired Home Show, called various names over the years, has embraced a traditional tradeshow format since 1938. Following the model that worked well ten years ago doesn’t necessarily translate into success in the future — we must adapt and change.
The IHA Board of Directors and staff have studied the future of IHA and our Show over the past year. We’ve looked at moving cities and at partnerships with other fairs, trying to find the special recipe needed to best benefit the industry, and we’re happy to announce today that we’re completely rewriting the business model.
Beginning in 2028, IHA and ANDMORE have agreed to move The Inspired Home Show to January to co-locate alongside the Winter Atlanta Market. Together, we’ll create one not-to-be-missed marketplace, where the industry comes together — one fair with the highest concentration of exhibitors, brands and products to meet the needs of buyers spanning home, housewares and gift, dramatically increasing brand and product discovery. Domestic and international buyers will have one major first quarter event that takes place at the beginning of the new year with access to a new and expanded marketplace.
The Association itself must also evolve to better meet industry needs throughout the year. IHA will continue to offer valuable member services — current offerings will be evaluated, and new services will be developed. The status quo can simply no longer be the standard.
Full details about today’s announcement are available online on HomePage News, and future information about this transformation will be made available in the weeks to come. Our annual CHESS networking conference opens in Chicago tomorrow, and by attending, you will hear from leaders who are championing this change, and you will have the opportunity to speak directly with industry execs from IHA and ANDMORE.
We look forward to seeing you in Chicago at The Inspired Home Show in March 2027 one last time and then traveling with you to Atlanta in January 2028. As an industry, let’s come together and embrace change — as John F. Kennedy said, “Change is the law of life, and those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.”
Best,
Derek Miller
IHA President & CEO