A wide variety of consumer, trade and social media professionals attended The Inspired Home Show® 2026 eager to shine the spotlight on the newest products and trends for everyone’s favorite place – home. A new virtual media tour organized by the Show also expanded reach to TV and radio stations around the country.
At the heart of it all was new Show spokesperson Jane Clauss. An Emmy-winning television lifestyle host, Jane lended voice and value to all the product and trend discovery going on at the event. In addition to serving as the Show’s on-camera expert for media coverage, Clauss helped build excitement in pre-Show social media posts and also interviewed several exhibitors for post-Show videos.
Media in Attendance
Several media outlets were quick to post highlight reels and listicles of top trends and favorite new products they saw at the Show. But many of these media professionals also attend the event to generate story ideas, discover new brands and build relationships for the year ahead.
Some of the major consumer media outlets represented at the 2026 Show included The New York Times/Wirecutter, Nexstar Media/NewsNation, Yahoo, Lifehacker/CNET, Buzzfeed, Real Simple, CNN Underscored, Forbes, House Beautiful, Good Housekeeping, Better Homes & Gardens, Food Network Magazine, HGTV Magazine, Apartment Therapy, The Kitchn, Taste of Home, Oprah Daily, America’s Test Kitchen, Wired, the Indianapolis Star, Chicago Tribune, WGN-TV, CBS2 Chicago and NBC5 Chicago.
Virtual Media Tour
The Show’s News Center also became a broadcast studio for three days as part of a new virtual media tour. As part of that tour, 21 TV and radio segments were streamed live or live to tape for airing at a later date.
These earned media segments – which ran in markets across the U.S – featured Show spokesperson Jane Clauss. Clauss highlighted new products that address the latest consumer trends, as well as those winning IHA’s Global Innovation Awards (gia) at the Show.
Social Media Influencers
Media attendees also included a variety of social media influencers eager to give followers a sneak peek at the newest housewares products and trends.
That included 14 Social Media Ambassadors selected by the Show to help amplify exhibitor products and brands. The Ambassador program included guided tours of the Show floor, exhibitor meet-ups and access to Show education sessions and special events.
Sample Coverage
A small sample of media coverage to date includes:
- Real Simple – 4/2/26
- Forbes – 3/20/26
- Lifehacker/CNET – 3/12/26
- Apartment Therapy – 3/17/26
- The Kitchn – 3/17/26
- Food Network – 3/16/26
- HGTV Magazine – 3/16/26
- NewsNation “Morning in America” – 3/12/26
- Chicago Tribune – 3/19/26
- WGN-TV – 3/10/26
- CBS2 Chicago – 3/10/26
- Cedar & Rush – 3/23/26
- Fab Everyday – 3/24/26