Education
A lot has changed over the last few years. Manufacturers have come up with new ways to bring products to market. Retailers have innovated both online and off. Consumers have adapted to new ways of living, working and connecting. Join industry thought leaders and experts as they share strategies, experiences and data-driven insights, and return to your business with new ideas for how to operate in the post-pandemic world.
Keynotes
Strategy and Thought-Leadership
Location: South Building, S102
High-level directional insights for the year ahead in home + housewares, the 2026 keynote presentations include research-backed guidance on consumer trends and purchase preferences; exclusive color and style forecasts; revealing analytics on cross-industry sales trends; and an inside look at how to win in today’s competitive retail marketplace.
Tuesday, March 10
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Growth Through Change: Inspiring Consumers with Proactive Disruption
Joe Derochowski
Circana
Session Description
2026 will require changes in the ways the home products industry thinks about growth and how they interact with consumers who have become most focused on cost concerns and basic needs. As a result, consumers are not lending as loud a voice to trends, which means marketers need to take the reins and lead the consumer through inspiration and innovation. In this keynote session, Circana’s Joe Derochowski will explore ways the home products industry can re-engage with the consumer — from eating behavior and GLP-1 influence, to social shopping and AI.
Wednesday, March 11
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Top Trends — Survive or Thrive? Collaborative Insights to Sharpen Your Senses and Challenge Your Perceptions of the Modern Marketplace
Tom Mirabile
Springboard Futures
Session Description
There’s no question that industry, socio-political, economic, and lifestyle shifts are reshaping the consumer landscape. But ultimately, maintaining a fluid awareness of purchaser attitudes, expectations, and behaviors remains the best defense against the unexpected.
Tom Mirabile, trend strategist expert resource to the IHA, will share essential new data revealing what consumers want, how they live, and why they buy. You’ll learn what’s driving positive feedback, shaping customer experiences, and even causing consumer exasperation. Best of all, you’ll be able to compare these insights with your own perceptions to see where you’re on target.
Wednesday, March 11
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Color & Design Future Trends: Welcome Home
Leatrice Eiseman
Pantone® Color Institute
Session Description
To renowned color expert Leatrice (Lee) Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, success in today’s discerning marketplace is all about interpreting the lifestyles and emotional “tugs” that will lead consumers to purchase your products, goods or services. From reminiscent of the past or resonating for the future, Eiseman will present the most influential and directional forecast for color and design choices in the coming year while revealing Pantone’s 2027 Home Color Forecast.
Inspiration Theater
Analysis and How-To
Critical topics presented by subject matter experts, including supply chain insights, intellectual property law, omni-channel marketing strategies, merchandising best practices and global consumer and retail trends.
Location: South Building — S101A
See You in March
Register NowEvents
Connect with fellow attendees, discover curated new brands and products, and re-group with your industry and your peers during The Inspired Home Show.
Chicago Retail Tour
Housewares Charity Gala
gia Awards Dinner
Independents Reception
HYPE
Networking After Dark