The World’s Leading Home + Housewares Show

March 2–4, 2025 | McCormick Place | Chicago, IL

The World’s Leading Home + Housewares Show
March 2—4 | McCormick Place | Chicago, IL

Exhibitor Marketing Kit

Independent Retailer Program

Independent Retailer Program

LET INDEPENDENTS KNOW YOU WELCOME THEM AND THEIR BUSINESS BY SIGNING UP FOR OUR FREE INDEPENDENT RETAILER PROGRAM.

Independent retailers are a key customer for housewares suppliers and are critical to the success of Show exhibitors. However, every year we receive feedback that they struggle to find exhibitors willing to work with them. Help us identify if your company supports independent retail at The Inspired Home Show by participating in our Welcome Independent Retailer Program. 

Participating Exhibitors Will Receive

In-Booth Signage

Participants receive In-Booth signage to alert buyers that you’re Independent Friendly.

Connect 365 Badge

Get a Connect 365 Badge that allows you to identify as “Independent Friendly”.

Independent Friendly Exhibitor

Company inclusion in Independent Retailer-targeted marketing efforts.

How to Participate

By adding Independent Friendly product listings to your Connect 365 profile, you will automatically be included in targeted searches and lists for attendees pre- and at-Show as they are browsing the Expo floors.

1. Add Your Badge(s)

Add ‘Independent Friendly’ Badge to Your Brand:

  1. Login to Connect 365 and select your Company
  2. Scroll down to Connect 365 Update
  3. Click ‘ Update Your Connect 365 Profile’
  4. Scroll down to select ‘Manage Brands & Products’
  5. For Brands select ‘Name & Desc.’
  6. Click ‘Independent Retailer Friendly’ and press ‘Save Changes’ 

Add ‘Independent Friendly’ Badge to Your Products:

  1. Login to Connect 365 and select your Company
  2. Scroll down to Connect 365 Update
  3. Click ‘ Update Your Connect 365 Profile’
  4. Scroll down to select ‘Manage Brands & Products’
  5. Scroll down to Product Brand and select ‘Edit Products’
  6. Select ‘General’
  7. Click ‘Independent Retailer Friendly’ and press ‘Save Changes’

 

2. Order Your Signage

Order Your ‘Independent Friendly’ Signage:

  1. Visit In-Booth Signage
  2.  Select ‘Independent Friendly’
  3.  Complete the Order Form and press Submit

Signs will be delivered to your booth at the Show on Saturday, March 1. Signs will also be available at the Floor Manager’s Desk.

The Inspired Home Show’s Buyer Relations Team

IHA has a dedicated team of sales professionals to focus efforts on recruiting and educating buyers about The Inspired Home Show. Our team is actively identifying and visiting prospective new buyers with a focus on independent retailers.

We encourage you to use the Buyer Relations Team as a resource for your customer recruitment. Submit your list of buyers to our team and they will promote your participation in the Show. Additionally, if there are retailers you have not seen at the Show or wish to see at the Show, please provide any available information and our team will pursue them. The Buyer Relations Team will be at the Show assisting independent retailers.

Contact Connie Chantos, [email protected] or Debra Egli, [email protected].

Learn More About Connect 365!

View Connect 365 Tutorial

Exhibitors — Get Started!

IHA’s Connect 365 platform is now open to exhibitors to begin populating data. This instructional video will walk you through every step of the process – from managing your company-level information to creating brands, adding products and uploading digital assets.