ROSEMONT, IL (Feb. 21, 2019)—The International Housewares Association (IHA) today announced it is changing the name of the International Home + Housewares Show to The Inspired Home Show®, IHA’s Global Home + Housewares Market in 2020. The change is part of the Association’s expansion of The Inspired Home platform, which was created to align with consumer trends shifting from functional home design to aspirational lifestyle development.
“The IHA board of directors, IHA staff and our external design partners have been working on this change for over a year. We started with a blank canvas to develop a name and brand that would set the right tone for the industry, positioning our Show for the future,” said John “JC” Collins, president/CMO of Neatfreak and 2018-19 IHA chairman. “In the end, we leveraged our existing consumer brand, The Inspired Home, extending it to the trade as we found a clear convergence between product suppliers, retailers and consumers through lifestyle branding,”
“As the premier home and housewares event in the world, our members, exhibitors and retail attendees expect a Show that reflects current trends and attitudes,” said Derek Miller, president of IHA. “The Inspired Home Show® will maintain all relevant aspects of the International Home + Housewares Show while introducing new elements that help product suppliers and retailers meet the needs of the changing consumer marketplace.”
This is not the first time that IHA has changed the name of its annual event to align with dynamics in the industry and with the consumer. Until 2003, the event was known as the “International Housewares Show,” changing to the “International Home + Housewares Show” in 2004 to reflect a scope beyond individual products and moving toward the overall home environment.
The Inspired Home Show®, IHA’s Home + Housewares Market will have an updated look and feel that is closely aligned to the current The Inspired Home consumer platform, incorporating lifestyle imagery and classic colors. The Show will remain a trade-only event at McCormick Place in Chicago and will maintain its “five expos in one” format with dine + decor located in the South Hall; clean + contain, Discover Design and International Sourcing located in the North Hall; and wired + well located in Lakeside Center.
In addition to IHA’s current Housewares.org website, The Inspired Home Show® will also be supported on an all-new website found at TheInspiredHomeShow.com. The Show will take place March 14-17, 2020.