Select a question below to learn more. If you do not find the answers to your questions here, please contact us at (847)292-4200 and ask to speak with a Show Team Representative.

What is an "Attendee"?
What is the International Home + Housewares Show?
Where is the Show held?
What are the current and future Show Dates & Times?
What Product Categories are covered at the Show?
Who Attends the Show?
How do I Reserve Hotels at a discount rate?
Is there a preferred airline carrier for the Show offering discounted airfare?
How do I Register for Badges?
How much does it Cost to Attend the Show?
What Services are Offered to Buyers that attend the Show?
What is there to do in Chicago?
What is the Attendee Code of Conduct?
Who are the Show sponsored International Travel Agencies?
How can I Contact IHA, the Show sponsor?

 

What is an "Attendee"?
Attendees are comprised of the following professions:
US Buyer/Retailer/Wholesaler
US Homegoods Manufacturer's Rep/Agent
US Trade Guest /Supplier
     (Publishing and ad sales personnel qualify as trade guests)
Non-US Sales Agent for Exhibitor at Chicago Show
Non-US Buyer / Retailer / Distributor / Buying Agent
Non-US Manufacturer / Supplier / Trade Guest
News Media (includes editorial personnel only)

The Show is open to the trade only.

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What is the International Home + Housewares Show?

The International Home + Housewares Show is your opportunity to join the world's largest marketplace of homegoods professionals. Every year 60,000 of the world's most important industry professionals gather to do business in Chicago's state-of-the-art McCormick Place Exposition Center. They come to explore new, creative business opportunities as well as strengthen existing relationships.

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Where is the Show held?

The Show is located in Chicago, IL USA at:

McCormick Place
2301 S. Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60616
312-791-7000
312-791-6543 fax

For directions to the convention center please go to:
http://www.mccormickplace.com

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What are current and future Show Dates?

For information on Show dates and times please visit our Show Dates page. 

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What product categories are covered at the Show?

Product Expos at the Show:
clean + contain - including promotion in motion: retail promotions + continuities
dine + design - including GOHO: gourmet
home and food
wired + well
global crossroads (international pavilions)

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Who Attends the Show?

Over 20,000 buyers from more than 100 countries representing the world’s leading retailers:

15,000 U.S. Buyers

  • These buyers represent the largest single home products and housewares market in the world. U.S. consumers purchase over $75 billion of the products displayed at the Show annually.
  • U.S. Buyers represent diverse retail channels including the fast-growing specialty channels. Retailers such as Sur La Table, Bed, Bath and Beyond, Macy's and other specialty focused independent retailers attend in large numbers. In 2008, these channels represented 75% of retail buyers at the Show.
  • 99% of the top 150 U.S. retailers are represented at the Show. Wal*Mart,Target, Walgreens, Lowe’s and many other mass channel retailers view the Show as a key marketplace.
  • U.S. distributors and wholesalers send over 2,500 representatives to the Show each year.

More than 6,000 Non-U.S. Buyers

  • Reflecting the accelerating globalization of the home goods industry, international buyers from all continents represent nearly one-third of the total number of buyers attending the Show.

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How do I reserve hotels at a discount rate?

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Is there a preferred airline carrier for the Show offering discounted airfare?

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How do I register for badges?

 

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How much does it cost to attend the Show?

There is no charge for trade participants to attend the Show for those who register before midnight Saturday before the Show starts.

However, the International Housewares Association (IHA) does reserve the right to charge up to $500 per Trade Guest/Supplier/ Financial Institution for their badge and limit the number of badges per company to five (5), solely at its discretion, to enhance the quality and overall experience of the Show for all participants. IHA also reserves the right to make changes, as necessary, to the category of badge registration-type submitted by an individual or a company as a whole. Should it be necessary to change the registration type after their request has been submitted via telephone, fax, email or website, a representative of IHA will contact the individual or company, requesting payment of the amount due. Should a charge be imposed, payment must be submitted in advance of receiving a badge.

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What services are offered to buyers who attend the Show?

Buyers/Retailers receive many free services at the Show including:

  • Access to The Buyers Club, a buyers-only lounge with email, snacks, concierge services and product locators.
  • Free Educational Programs
  • Free Displays Focused on Color, Design and Trend
  • Free Coat and Luggage Check
  • Discounted Lunch For Buyers Each Show Day ($10.00 Value)
  • View complete list of Attendee Show Services here

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What is there to do in Chicago?
Look in the About Chicago section of our site to find info on Chicago attractions and information.

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What is the Attendee Code of Conduct (back to top)

For the safety and security of all Show attendees, we ask your cooperation with the following Show policies:

  • The International Home + Housewares Shows is for trade only. Individuals who cannot document their direct, professional affiliation to the trade will not be admitted.
  • McCormick Place is a smoke-free facility, including exhibit halls, meeting rooms, lobbies, food service areas, hallways and parking garages. There are designated smoking areas outside of the North and South Buildings and Lakeside Center.
  • Attendees are not permitted to bring any photographic equipment on the exhibit floor or take photos of any booth or product. Unauthorized photography of any exhibit or product is prohibited and may result in the confiscation of film, memory cards and cameras as well as expulsion from the Show.
  • As a safety issue, no strollers will be permitted on the exhibit floor at any time.
  • On Show days only, individuals under the age of 18 are admitted free of charge, but must be registered as a Trade Guest and accompanied by an adult at all times. A parent or guardian must accept responsibility for the safety and behavior of children.  Childcare services are available at the Show and must be arranged at least 60 days prior to the Show.
  • Only Buyers and Manufacturer Reps are allowed to leave the exhibit floor with product, and only if they have a Sample Merchandise Pass signed by the exhibiting company.
  • Trade Guests are not allowed to remove product from the Show floor. 
  • All Trade Guests are admitted to the Show as guests of the industry and are asked to respect the wishes of exhibitors and buyers as they conduct their business.

Who are the Show-sponsored International Travel Agencies?

IHA has partnered with numerous International Travel Agencies to help make your travels to our Show easier. Please view the complete list of travel agencies. Click here

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How can I contact IHA, the Show sponsor?

Please select the appropriate International Housewares Association (IHA) personnel from our staff contact list.

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