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 Show virtual media tour also expanded reach to TV and radio stations around the country.
New this year, Emmy-winning television lifestyle host, Jane Clauss 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 trend videos and also interviewed several exhibitors during the Show to bring their brands and products to a wider audience.
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. During the tour, 21 TV and radio segments were streamed live or live to tape for airing at a later date.
In these earned media segments— which ran in markets across the U.S — 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 Ambassadors selected by the Show to help amplify exhibitor products and brands, and provide an inside look to new consumer audiences. The Ambassador program included guided tours of the Show floor, exhibitor meet-ups and access to Show education sessions and special events.
Critical Amplification of Show Reach
Consumer and trade media play a critical role in amplifying the reach of The Inspired Home Show, extending what happens on the Show floor to audiences across the globe. From driving awareness and shaping trends to reinforcing the Show’s position as the global home + housewares marketplace, this coverage ensures the industry’s innovations and insights resonate beyond the Show itself.
A small sample of media coverage to date includes:
- Real Simple – 4/2/26
- Fab Everyday – 3/24/26
- Cedar & Rush – 3/23/26
- Forbes – 3/20/26
- Chicago Tribune – 3/19/26
- Apartment Therapy – 3/17/26
- The Kitchn – 3/17/26
- Just Destiny – 3/17/26
- Food Network – 3/16/26
- HGTV Magazine – 3/16/26
- WHNT-TV, Huntsville, AL – 3/13/26
- WISH-TV, Indianapolis, IN – 3/12/26
- Lifehacker/CNET – 3/12/26
- NewsNation “Morning in America” – 3/12/26
- WGN-TV – 3/10/26
- CBS2 Chicago – 3/10/26
- KOLR-TV, Springfield, MO – 3/9/26