The Inspired Home Show 2024 is a month away, with buyers from across the globe set to join more than 1,700 exhibitors March 17-19 at Chicago’s McCormick Place. In the following exclusive interview with HomePage News, Derek Miller, president and CEO of the International Housewares Association, details what exhibitors and attendees can expect from the Show and its new three-day, two-hall format.
Derek Miller, president and CEO, International Housewares Association
HomePage News: Could you describe some of the changes being planned for the 2024 Show?
Derek Miller: There are a few key changes taking place. The Show’s length has been adjusted to three days from four, and the Show will open on Sunday (March 17) and close on Tuesday (March 19).
The biggest change is that we are moving the Wired + Well Expo (primarily small appliances) into the North Hall of McCormick Place to collocate with Clean + Contain (cleaning and home storage/organization products). With Dine + Décor (kitchenware, tableware, décor) being located across the Grand Concourse in the South Hall, this means our three largest Expos will be in much closer proximity to each other than ever before. This footprint will create a more consolidated and efficient show experience for our attendees.
HPN: What’s driving these changes?
DM: We have to adapt to meet the changing marketplace — coming out of COVID and into a troubled economy has created challenges throughout the industry. The last thing the IHA Board and staff want to do is to sit back and rest on yesterday’s laurels. We have to watch, listen and learn and then make changes to meet the needs of the market. That’s exactly what we are doing.
We did a lot of survey work last spring and found that both our exhibitors and buyers preferred a more consolidated timeframe and footprint. The announcement of these changes was very positively received by the industry, and we look forward to executing the new format in March.
HPN: With the Show no longer occupying the Lakeside Center and only being in the North and South Halls of McCormick Place, will the Show be smaller in size in 2024?
DM: Although we’re not using Lakeside this year, in addition to Level 2 of North Hall, we will also use Level 1, which was not used last year. While the footprint looks different and the Expos will be rearranged, we will use a comparable amount of space as last year with the Show.
HPN: How many exhibitors are returning from last year’s Show?
DM: About 70% of non-pavilion exhibitors from the 2023 Show are returning to the 2024 Show, which is consistent with numbers from historical Shows before COVID. Every trade fair has ebbs and flows, and although it has been more challenging this year due to the troubled economic conditions, we are very pleased with the results.
HPN: To maintain or increase exhibitor numbers, you must have new companies coming in.
DM: Yes, that’s correct. The 2024 Show will have over 350 exhibitors that did not participate in 2023. Two hundred of those companies are entirely new to the Show this year, and we’ll have over 150 who are returning after a brief absence — companies such as Cuisinart, Keurig, BergHOFF, Cool Gear, Corkcicle, Joseph Joseph, Emile Henry, Scan Pan, Range Kleen, Fissler and Tramontina, to name a few.
The 2024 Show will have over 350 exhibitors that did not participate in 2023. Two hundred of those companies are entirely new to the Show this year, and we’ll have over 150 who are returning after a brief absence — companies such as Cuisinart, Keurig, BergHOFF, Cool Gear, Corkcicle, Joseph Joseph, Emile Henry, Scan Pan, Range Kleen, Fissler and Tramontina, to name a few.
– Derek Miller, president and CEO, International Housewares Association
HPN: What are your expectations about retail buyer attendance? About buyers?
DM: We are seeing very strong registrations coming from buyers and are on pace for a very positive year from both U.S. and international perspectives. Registrations from key U.S. retailers are outpacing the previous year, which is very positive news, and I believe we have registrations from well over 100 countries.
A nice benefit for our buyers is the return of the free buyer lunch program. Buyers are able to get a free lunch in the South or North Hall Cafes on the Show floor. This was a popular benefit offered until 2019, and we’re pleased to be in a place to offer this again in 2024. Sometimes, small things make a big impact.
HPN: Other than the buyer-seller connections, what can attendees expect in the areas of industry education and content?
DM: Our education program is incredibly strong, with four keynote presentations scheduled thus far. We will have a trend presentation from Trend Bible, an overview of the U.S. retail landscape from Circana, a look at the importance of the Hispanic consumer within the U.S. from Univision, and a discussion about color trends from Pantone.
Additionally, our Inspiration Theater will feature presentations on a wide variety of industry-relevant topics conducted throughout each day at the Show.
The full education schedule is available on the Show’s website. (https://www.theinspiredhomeshow.com/education/)
HPN: Could you also elaborate on any special events planned during the Show?
DM: We have a lot of activities that take place off of the Show floor. Some are for specialized audiences, such as our Independents Celebration networking opportunity for smaller retailers, our HYPE reception focused on networking for young professionals, and our Student Experience Day to welcome and recruit college students into our industry.
Some of our activities are for wider audiences, such as our Influencer event that connects product suppliers with social influencers on Saturday (March 16) and Networking After Dark, a Show-wide party on Monday evening (March 18). We also offer a Retail Tour on Wednesday (March 20) after the Show, primarily for international attendees to have a first-hand view of the U.S. retail landscape.
The Housewares Charity Foundation’s annual Housewares Cares Gala (the evening of March 18) will honor Herb Landsman of TJX with a Lifetime Achievement Award and Kristen Stevens of QVC with the Humanitarian of the Year Award — all while raising $1 million or so for charity. Although that event is sold out, there are still ways to contribute.
Additional information about these and other events is available on our website. (https://www.theinspiredhomeshow.com/events/)
HPN: If someone has never been to the Show in the past or is new to the industry, why should they attend?
DM: The Inspired Home Show is a community of like-minded companies that come together to connect with established colleagues and to find new business friends and partners. For those new to the industry, it is the best opportunity to see the industry as a whole. Seeing the vast landscape of companies, brands and products greatly increases the understanding of just how wonderful and dynamic our industry is.
HPN: Any final thoughts about the Show?
DM: Seventeen hundred exhibitors and thousands of buyers will use the 2024 Show in March to showcase and find new products and innovations to advance their business. That should be celebrated. The Show’s Connect 365 website has the most complete information, with additional exhibitors, brands, and products being added daily. This will be fully populated by the time the Show opens on March 17. We’re really looking forward to the 2024 Show as we welcome the industry to Chicago. (https://app.theinspiredhomeshow.com/Connect365)
