The Inspired Home Show 2026 will offer four keynote sessions and two days of targeted education programming at McCormick Place in Chicago March 10-12, the International Housewares Association announced Feb. 13.
Sessions will focus on market opportunities, business strategies and consumer insights covering artificial intelligence (AI), growth through disruption, marketplace trends and color forecasting. The education programming is available to all show participants at no charge.
Keynote sessions
The keynote lineup features Aaron Conant, co-founder and chief digital strategist at BWG Connect, and Udayan Bose, co-founder and CEO of NetElixir, discussing AI’s impact on business and e-commerce at 10 a.m. on March 10. The fireside chat will examine how companies can optimize AI investment and prepare for GenAI development and agentic commerce.
Joe Derochowski, VP and home industry advisor at Circana, will present “Growth Through Change: Inspiring Consumers with Proactive Disruption” at 1 p.m. on March 10. The session will address how marketers should lead consumers through inspiration and innovation when consumers focus on cost concerns and basic needs. Topics include eating behavior and the influence of GLP-1s, social shopping and the use of AI.
Tom Mirabile, principal at Springboard Futures and IHA trend strategist, will share consumer insights at 10 a.m. on March 11 in “Top Trends – Survive or Thrive?” The presentation will reveal what consumers want, how they live and why they buy, including what drives positive feedback and shapes customer experiences.
Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, will present “Sense-Abilities – The Most Directional Color and Design Trends” at 1 p.m. on March 11. Eiseman will feature influential color and design directions for the upcoming year and reveal palettes in the Pantone View Home + Interiors 2027 forecast. Keynote sessions will take place in the South Building, Room S102.
Inspiration Theater programming
Inspiration Theater sessions will cover operating a TikTok Shop, leveraging earned media coverage and commerce editorial, growth opportunities through licensing, global food and flavors influence, and best practices from award-winning retailers. Additional sessions will provide updates on tariffs, PFAS legislation and consumer lifestyle influences. Sessions will take place March 10-11 in the South Building, Room S101A.
“In addition to incredible opportunities involving product discovery, trend-spotting and face-to-face connections, The Inspired Home Show offers a dynamic line-up of educational programming,” said Derek Miller, president and CEO of IHA.
“Whether you’re a manufacturer, brand, retailer, buyer or other industry professional, you’ll find new strategies, best practices and data-driven insights that may challenge conventional wisdom.”
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