The Inspired Home Show® 2026 provided an encouraging platform for a home and housewares industry eager and ready to move business forward in the year ahead. Despite continued economic headwinds, buyers and sellers came together to forge a path to growth, finding opportunities to tap into consumers’ renewed interest in products and activities that offer comfort and joy.
The International Housewares Association’s (IHA) premier annual marketplace showcased over 1,000 exhibitors, thousands of unique brands, and hundreds of thousands of products to attendees from over 100 countries.
What did participants have to say about the experience?
“This was a truly excellent Show. We had a lot of meetings that we couldn’t have had anywhere else. The booth traffic was constant, all our major retailers visited, and we made new connections, which we expect to lead to significant new business.”
–Will Symonds, President, Oggi
“The Inspired Home Show was very successful for us. We were pleased with the buyers that visited our booth, as they were key decision makers and were able to spend meaningful, quality time learning about our products.”
–Drew Brown, President, Frieling USA, Inc.
“This was our first time attending the Show, in the Debut section. First off, a huge shoutout to the showrunners for the incredible support in ensuring we were armed with all the necessary information to make the Show less overwhelming. Secondly, we not only had access to retailers and buyers we didn’t even have on our radar but also connected with media. Someone actually wrote about us even before the Show ended. This kind of visibility is priceless.”
–Awa Kone, CEO & Founder, N/UM
“One of the reasons the Show continues to be so valuable to retailers is its format. Unlike markets spread across multiple buildings and showrooms, this Show allows retailers to move quickly, stay focused, and make the most of their time on the floor. Another major factor is access. Chicago has traditionally been a place where retailers can connect directly with leadership within vendor companies. National sales managers, presidents, vice presidents, and senior leadership teams are often present, which allows retailers to have deeper conversations about products, strategy, and the future of the brands they carry. Those interactions matter, and they help build stronger long-term partnerships.”
–KC Lapiana, Chief Executive Officer, HTI Buying Group
“It was wonderful to meet with our existing customers who wish to expand their lines with Gleener and to also meet with quite a few new, major retailers and independents too. In these uncertain times, it is refreshing to see the buying community so engaged and keen to embrace new brands and new products. We will definitely grow our U.S. business as a result with retailers and distributors across the spectrum.”
–Kim Cole, CEO/Founder, Gleener, Inc.
“The industry continues to evolve, and with that comes a shift in how success must be measured. It can no longer be evaluated by sheer traffic – it’s about being in the right rooms, with the right partners, having the right conversations. As retail has consolidated over the years, so has the opportunity to be intentional about where and how we show up. This year’s Show may have looked different than the past, but for us, that difference translated into focus, impact, and momentum. We came in with a sharper, more cost-effective approach and left with meaningful opportunities, strong alignment with key partners, and real traction with those helping shape the future of our category. The level of press and marketing engagement was equally energizing – from established top-tier outlets to a new wave of influencers redefining how brands connect. I’m grateful for the conversations, the partnerships, and the continued opportunity to build something that matters. If you weren’t there this year, it’s worth taking a fresh look for 2027.”
–Evan Dash, CEO, Storebound
“After each Show, I usually ask myself a simple question: If we look back a few years from now, what will we remember about this moment? For us, this Show will stand out as both strong and meaningful, as we had the opportunity to reconnect with many of our long-time partners and customers, and the conversations felt more thoughtful, more focused, and genuinely forward-looking.”
–Henry Liu, President & CEO, Cangshan Cutlery
“The trip to The Inspired Home Show was absolutely worth it for us. At the fair, we found a number of potential new suppliers for our concept stores, Ambiance & Styles and Culinarion. The show is large-scale yet intimate, which is why we were able to strike up a conversation with every exhibitor who caught our interest. Anyone looking to stand out from the local competition should definitely visit this show.”
–Daniela Dalla Valla, Managing Director, EK France
“The Inspired Home Show continues to be a key driver for KitchenSupply—bringing together our customers and reps to collaborate, strengthen partnerships, and showcase our portfolio of premium kitchen brands. It’s an energizing platform that fuels our growth and keeps us focused on delivering innovative, relevant products that meet the needs of today’s consumer.”
–Kelly Walsh, Vice President, KitchenSupply
“This is our second time exhibiting at The Inspired Home Show in the Pet Products Pavilion, and it has been an incredible journey for us. As a local company, winning the gia award was a proud milestone. The Show provides an outstanding platform to connect with buyers, media, and industry leaders, and we’ve found it to be an inspiring space that truly elevates brands and innovation in the home and pet industry. We’re already looking forward to returning next year and continuing to build on this momentum.”
–Lei Zhang, CEO, PawsPik
“The Inspired Home Show delivered an exceptional level of buyer quality this year. We had meaningful conversations, genuine engagement, and real business opportunities with decision-ready partners—making it one of the most productive shows we’ve participated in.”
— Cze-Chao Tam, CEO, TRINITY International Industries
“It’s been a fantastic trip to The Inspired Home Show 2026. What an amazing Show in an amazing city – and not least because we were so honored to pick up our Top Window award at the gia gala, which was a superb, exciting ceremony. The Show has been fantastic; busy, inspiring, lots of great exhibitors – and friends too. We’ve thoroughly enjoyed every minute, and it’s been invaluable for us as a retailer looking for new ranges. Trend spotting has been a crucial element too; the innovation we’ve seen has given us such great insight and enthusiasm for what’s coming through. We can’t wait to return!”
–Tom Potter, Director, Potters Cookshop, United Kingdom
“We had a great Show and met with many key buyers. Although traffic may have been down, the old adage of “quality versus quantity” prevailed. We found we had more time with each of our buyers, which paid off in spades.”
–David Zrike, President, R Squared/Zrike Brands
“The Inspired Home Show was an outstanding experience for us. We truly enjoyed being part of the Debut area and loved our location. Even more impactful was the level of exposure and attention we received throughout the Show. Most importantly, the support from the IHA team was exceptional from start to finish. A++ experience.”
–Breanne Stuart, Totem Serve
“We were able to meet with some vendors we currently work with and some new ones we are excited to start working with.”
–Kevin Silverman, Owner, Northside Cutlery, Chicago IL
“Higher attendance Shows sound great, however there is more qualifying of unknown prospects, many not on our target list. We were able to provide clear strategy sessions with quality buyers. The buyers were there. The time was unrushed. Those who presented well were rewarded tremendously! As an added bonus, it was easy to set up and easy to tear down; the weekend allowed for a peaceful and less chaotic set up. Thank you for the great work of keeping our industry Show together.”
–Brian Pomeranc, Bene Casa
“Our trip to Chicago was very worthwhile. At The Inspired Home Show, we discovered exciting trends and met some interesting exhibitors. Furthermore, the insight into the American retail landscape was very valuable for us as a leading Swiss department store chain.”
–Nadia Burri, Senior Product Manager Living (housewares, kitchen and tabletop), Manor AG, Switzerland
“We had a very productive Inspired Home Show, meeting with senior management from all our national retailers. The Show allows us an opportunity to meet face-to-face with customers, strengthening our relationships and formulating strategies for future growth.”
–Tom McMahon, President, Jura, Inc.
“The 2026 Inspired Home Show concluded on a strong and positive note for Gibson, marking one of our most successful Shows to date. Buyer engagement was high throughout the event, and we had meaningful, productive conversations with all key retail partners, as well as encouraging discussions with new prospects eager to grow with us. Our new product introductions were well-received and validated, reinforcing the strength of our innovation pipeline. The Show continues to serve as a cornerstone of our growth strategy. As a long-standing IHA member and exhibitor, it is an essential platform for introducing new products, strengthening our brand and product leadership, and showing our momentum as we move into 2026 and beyond.”
–Sal Gabbay, CEO, Gibson Homewares
“Attending The Inspired Home Show 2026 in Chicago was an incredibly energizing experience. Beyond the scale of the event and the remarkable global brands on display, what stood out most were the ideas shaping the next chapter of our industry. Equally insightful were the retail store visits — exploring standout in-store experiences at Wayfair, The Container Store and Abt Electronics, each demonstrating how physical retail continues to evolve through experience, storytelling and service.”
–Anamika Nandi, Assistant Vice President – Category Management, Tata Unistore Limited, India
“As the industry continues to evolve, so does our approach to the Show floor. The Inspired Home Show marked an important milestone for HIC – Harold Import Co. this year, as we right-sized our booth to better align with today’s retail landscape. The Show exceeded our expectations and remains an essential ingredient in our annual strategy.”
–Robert Laub, President, HIC – Harold Import Co.
“The Inspired Home Show is a powerful showcase of our industry’s strength, bringing together legacy brands and emerging innovators, all driven by a shared spirit of creativity and growth. For Lodge, it provides a unique opportunity to have our entire team together in one place while engaging face-to-face with key retail partners and senior leaders and efficiently sharing our latest product innovations and marketing plans for 2026. The energy and buzz from customers and media in the Lodge booth this year was incredible. Especially in today’s environment, nothing replaces direct conversations and strong relationships, and TIHS continues to deliver meaningful value for our brand and the industry as a whole.”
–Mike Otterman, President/CEO, Lodge Cast Iron
“We come to the Show for discovery of newly released items and to have the opportunity to see the quality of items in person that we may not have bought otherwise.” –Kevin Felker, Owner, Prairie Kitchen Shop, Iowa City, IA
“Attending the IHA Fair was a very positive experience for us. The event provided an excellent opportunity to understand key industry trends, discover innovative products, and connect with relevant suppliers, particularly those from the American market. We were especially impressed by the quality and diversity of the exhibitors, as well as the strong networking environment. The connections we made were highly relevant to our business, and we look forward to pursuing the opportunities generated during the event.”
–Paula Mesquita, Product Manager, Imeltron (Brazilian Distributor)
“We made amazing connections.”
–Julie McLaughlin, Director, Account Management, Lowe’s (Marketplace – Home Décor)
“2026 was an outstanding show for Hestan, with tremendous energy around our booth, new product introductions, and brand storytelling. We had highly productive meetings with our valued retail partners and media, and it was clear that the demand for premium, differentiated cookware continues to grow. We’re leaving the Show with strong momentum and excitement for the year ahead.”
–Pamela Stafford, President & CEO, Hestan Culinary
“The quality of attendance and participation was strong. We were quite busy for the first two days. Had a few meaningful visits on Day 3. Our follow-up ranged from immediate to 2027 planning.”
–Mark Horstman, Director of Global Sales, Starplast USA
“The Show was an outstanding platform for Bluevua to connect with retailers, distributors, and industry partners from around the world. The quality of buyers and the level of engagement exceeded our expectations. Being recognized with a gia Award during the Show made the experience even more meaningful for our team and highlighted the strong innovation happening across the industry.”
–Melhem Succar, Director of Growth & Business Development, Bluevua
“It’s always our favorite show to attend. It is easy to shop and easy to get there.”
–Carrie Hauser, Owner, Cornucopia Kitchen Shop, Sturgeon Bay, WI
“Great show! Packed with highly productive meetings with key accounts, we generated significant new business opportunities with new partners and strong growth momentum with our current retail partners. Looking forward to the 2027 show!”
–Mark Adkison, President, Kuhn Rikon Corp
“2026 was Dualit’s second year exhibiting independently at The Inspired Home Show, and our progress is unmistakable. Stronger brand recognition, highly engaged buyers, and deeper conversations with new and existing retailers reaffirmed the Show’s value for premium brands like ours. It has become an essential platform as Dualit continues to expand our presence in the United States.”
—Alex Gort-Barten, Owner/Director, Dualit
“We had a great Show full of very impactful meetings. The retailers showed up and we were so glad we were at The Inspired Home Show to see them. We also take the “Inspired” part seriously as exhibitors, stepping out of our daily routines to look at our line from an outside perspective and see what’s going on in the industry as a whole. All in all, it’s such a beneficial experience for us.”
—Paul Cosaro, CEO, Picnic Time
“It’s been a great experience for us. It’s the one place that buyers, suppliers, press people and everyone can meet. In a world that is increasingly AI and email, personal relationships matter so much – and I think that’s the best part about being here.”
–Raghav Agarwal, CEO, FIREUP Cookware