ROSEMONT, Ill.—The strong performance of The Inspired Home Show—billed as the world’s leading home + housewares show—reflects the recovery being seen throughout that industry, according to its organizers.
After its initial return in 2022, the show, which is owned and operated by the International Housewares Association, saw significant year-over-year increases in both exhibitor and attendee numbers in 2023. More than 1,600 exhibitors and nearly 30,000 home + housewares professionals from 125 countries came together for four days March 4-7 at McCormick Place in Chicago.
“The 2023 show was an incredible step forward in the post-pandemic recovery of face-to-face events for the home + housewares industry,” Derek Miller, President and CEO of the International Housewares Association, said. “The enthusiasm and positive feedback we have seen remind us all how important it is to gather the industry together in-person every year.”
This year’s list of attendees included DMMs and GMMs from dozens of major retailers, ranging from the online giant Amazon to the upscale kitchenware brand Williams Sonoma, who came to meet with exhibitors from 125 countries. Household brands on the show floor included Westinghouse, Thermos and SodaStream.
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Keynotes focused on the future of home + housewares trends, including one by Walmart’s Head of Home Goods and General Manager of Home Marketplace. Innovation Theater sessions featured industry experts, including TikTok’s Head of Home and Living and Joe Derochowski, Vice President and Home Industry Advisor, Circana, who views this as a time of great opportunity for the industry—despite the uncertain economy.
“There are many opportunities the home + housewares industry can capitalize on despite of—or in light of—economic headwinds: helping consumers save money by eating at home; helping them save time and establish routines associated with hybrid work and the return of busy lifestyles; and helping them make inexpensive upgrades to their home environments,” Derochowski said.
Other show highlights included the Global Innovation Awards and the Housewares Cares Charity Gala, benefiting the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, the James Beard Foundation, Winning with Wyatt and the V Foundation.
The Inspired Home Show 2024 will take place March 16-19 at McCormick Place in Chicago.
Reach Derek Miller at (847) 292-4200 or dmiller@housewares.org; Joe Derochowski at (516) 625-0700
