Education
A lot has changed over the last few years. Manufacturers have come up with new ways to bring products to market. Retailers have innovated both online and off. Consumers have adapted to new ways of living, working and connecting. Join industry thought leaders and experts as they share strategies, experiences and data-driven insights, and return to your business with new ideas for how to operate in the post-pandemic world.
Keynotes
Strategy and Thought-Leadership
Take a look back at 2025 education session recordings
High-level directional insights for the year ahead in home + housewares, the 2025 keynote presentations include research-backed guidance on consumer trends and purchase preferences; exclusive color and style forecasts; revealing analytics on cross-industry sales trends; and an inside look at how to win in today’s competitive retail marketplace.
Sunday, March 2
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Lessons from the Front Lines: An Insider’s Guide to Winning in Today’s Hyper-Competitive Retail Marketplace
Jeff Evans
Retail Leader, Advisor, Board Member
Session Video
Jeff Evans has more than three decades of retail merchandising leadership experience across different retail formats including department stores, warehouse clubs, mass retailers and home specialty retailers. Having most recently served as president and chief merchandising officer for At Home and before that as executive vice president of entertainment, toys and seasonal for Walmart US., Evans has deep experience in e-commerce, product development, sourcing, building brands and identifying new business opportunities.
In this special opening keynote at The Inspired Home Show 2025, Evans will share stories from his experiences across different retail formats and businesses and the importance of winning partnerships, products and programs in a complex, fast-evolving retail marketplace… all with an unrelenting focus on creating optimum value — sometimes even “shocking value” — for today’s consumers.
Sunday, March 2
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Thinking Outside the Box: Growth Opportunities for the Housewares Industry
Joe Derochowski
Circana
Session Video
Inspiration for growth can come from many sources. In this keynote presentation, Joe Derochowski of Circana will engage with experts from various industries such as food, technology, beauty, sports, toys and more. They will discuss growth drivers in their industries and explore how these insights can be applied to the Home & Housewares industry to foster growth.
The interactive session will explore such factors as how social media and health are driving beauty; how toys and entertainment might impact licensing; how technology will impact smart appliances; how changes in eating habits are driving trends in the foods we eat; and more.
Monday, March 3
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
The 2025 Home & Living Survey — New Insights on the Everyday Realities Driving Consumer Demand
Tom Mirabile
Springboard Futures
Session Video
In the modern marketplace, success depends on a clear and nuanced understanding of your target consumer, especially their aspirations, frustrations and the daily demands on their time and energy.
Join Tom Mirabile, Principal of Springboard Futures, for the unveiling of The 2025 Home and Living Survey, a new research collaboration between the IHA and Springboard. This survey probes consumers’ everyday realities, priorities and pain points, exploring how these factors impact product choices and purchase decisions. It also reveals where the lifestyles of key generations converge, where they divide, and why it matters.
Attendees will leave with meaningful and actionable insights to help you create informed product and service offerings that attract ideal customers.
Monday, March 3
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Color & Design Future Trends: Welcome Home
Leatrice Eiseman
Pantone® Color Institute
Session Audio
The title for the Pantone View Home color/design forecast is “Welcome Home”. It is a theme that is highly relatable and well understood as a home provides the “roof over our heads”, the place to escape to, to find respite, replenishment and rest, while at the same time provides a source of entertainment and a place to play. For many, it must provide a workspace, so the home is not only an area to live within, but a space that allows us to make a living. Come join Leatrice (Lee) Eiseman, the executive director of the Pantone Color Institute and the color/ design forecaster for the Inspired Home Show as she guides you through the major trend directions for the future that will resonate for your customers and clients.
Inspiration Theater
Analysis and How-To
Critical topics presented by subject matter experts, including supply chain insights, intellectual property law, omni-channel marketing strategies, merchandising best practices and global consumer and retail trends.
Location: South Building — S101A
See You in 2026
Register NowEvents
Connect with fellow attendees, discover curated new brands and products, and re-group with your industry and your peers during The Inspired Home Show 2024.
Chicago Retail Tour
Housewares Charity Gala
gia Awards Dinner
Independents Reception
HYPE
Networking After Dark