The 2023 Inspired Home Show’s annual Trending Today Preview will focus on at-home entertaining this year. The two-hour event will take place pre-show on Saturday, March 4, and it will showcase exhibitors and products that consumers can use for at-home gatherings.
According to the International Housewares Association’s 2023 At-Home Entertaining Survey, at-home entertaining is back in a big way. The survey found that 82% of consumers expect to entertain in their homes at the same or increased frequency in the next year while 35% expect to entertain in their homes more often or much more often. Most in-home gatherings will take place in October – December 2023 followed by January – March 2023, according to the survey. The average at-home gathering will have 10 or fewer guests said 72% of survey respondents follow by 22% with 11 to 26 guests. Buffet/self-serve is the preferred format for food said 46% of respondents, followed by a sit-down meal (22%). Self-serve/mix is the preferred drink format of at-home gatherings (72%), followed by prepared and served drinks (20%).
Among challenges associated with at-home entertaining, the survey found that post-event clean-up, at 30%, and preparing everything to be served at the same time, at 22%, were top of mind. IHA noted that these challenges are areas that the home + housewares industry has and can continue to innovate around. The survey also found that hosts send leftover home with their guests 56% of the time, which can create a post-event touchpoint for both host and guest that might have been previously overlooked, said IHA.
The Trending Today Preview will showcase products and exhibitors that focus on the challenges associated with at-home entertaining along with prep (from cookware and bakeware to kitchen electrics and gadgets), presentation (tableware, glassware, barware, bar accessories, textiles and décor) and outdoor living products that help consumers throw a backyard BBQ or summer party.
The Inspired Home Show 2023 will be held March 4-7 at Chicago’s McCormick Place Complex. The Trending Today Preview will be held from 8 to 10 a.m. on Saturday for buyers and news media attendees before the show floor opens. Show exhibitors validated within the at-home entertaining category are invited to participate in Trending Today. Participation is free, sign-up is on a first-come, first-served basis and space is limited to 60 exhibitors. The deadline to sign up is Feb. 14, 2023. To sign up, exhibitors can contact their Inspired Home Show sales manager or learn more here.
