The Inspired Home Show® 2025, held March 2-4 at Chicago’s McCormick Place, was a must-attend event for anyone in the home and housewares industry. Packed with expert insights, cutting-edge strategies and trend-forward ideas, this year’s education program delivered powerful takeaways for suppliers and retailers alike. With four standout keynotes and three days of dynamic sessions in the Inspiration Theater, attendees left feeling energized and ready to take on the year ahead.
Industry Experts Deliver Must-Know Insights
“Our robust education program is designed to help Show participants gain a competitive edge in the year ahead,” said Derek Miller, president and CEO of the International Housewares Association (IHA), which hosts the Show. “Whether you’re a manufacturer, brand company, retailer, buyer or other industry professional, we’ve brought together some of the best in the business to share the latest insights you need to succeed.”
From market analysts to trend forecasters, the lineup of speakers covered everything from consumer behavior shifts to innovative retail strategies.
Keynote Sessions: Big-Picture Thinking for a Fast-Changing Industry
Held March 2 and 3, the four keynote sessions delivered fresh perspectives on everything from retail evolution to consumer lifestyles and color trends.
Winning in Today’s Retail Landscape
Jeff Evans – Retail Leader, Advisor, Board Member
Retail veteran Jeff Evans kicked off the keynotes with a deep dive into what it takes to win in today’s hyper-competitive marketplace. With decades of experience across department stores, warehouse clubs and specialty retail, Evans shared practical strategies for building partnerships, perfecting product assortments, and staying ahead of industry shifts.
Thinking Outside the Box: New Growth Opportunities
Joe Derochowski – Circana
Circana’s Joe Derochowski led an interactive discussion on lessons from industries like food, beauty, sports and toys—highlighting how their trends can translate to housewares. From social media-driven beauty habits to smart appliances and changing food preferences, this session was all about fresh ideas and unexpected connections.
The 2025 Home & Living Survey: What Consumers Really Want
Tom Mirabile – Springboard Futures
IHA teamed up with Springboard Futures to launch The 2025 Home & Living Survey, and Tom Mirabile broke down key insights from the research. Covering generational differences, evolving lifestyles and shifting purchase drivers, this session gave attendees a data-backed look at what today’s consumers are prioritizing—and how to create products and experiences that resonate.
Color & Design Future Trends: Welcome Home
Leatrice Eiseman – Pantone® Color Institute
Color and design authority Leatrice (Lee) Eiseman shared her forecast for 2025 and beyond, diving into the emotional and functional role of home spaces. The “Welcome Home” trend underscored how consumers see their homes—as places of comfort, entertainment, productivity and personal expression. Attendees walked away with a better understanding of how color and design will shape the market in the coming years.
Access recordings of the keynote presentations here: theinspiredhomeshow.com/education/#keynotes
Inspiration Theater: Actionable Insights for Every Business
Beyond the keynotes, the Inspiration Theater sessions tackled specific challenges and opportunities shaping the housewares industry. Topics included the following and more:
- Consumer trends in pet ownership, food culture and wellness
- Retail strategies for thriving in an omnichannel world
- Brand-building techniques like cross-industry partnerships and licensing
Held throughout all three days of the Show, these sessions gave attendees practical, real-world strategies to strengthen their businesses and keep up with evolving industry trends.
Access Inspiration Theater recordings here: theinspiredhomeshow.com/education/inspiration-theater-audio-replays