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 the International Home + Housewares Show?

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

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Who attends the Show?

In 2011, the International Home + Housewares Show total registration approached 60,000, including 21,000 buyers.

  • The Show’s non-U.S. audience includes 6,200 buyers from over 125 countries. Those buyers said that the creativity of the U.S. market drew them to Chicago.
  • The U.S audience includes 14,900 buyers.
  • Among U.S. buyers, 40% of attendees are owners or senior managers.

The Show had a strong U.S. independent specialty retailer presence with nearly 75 percent of the U.S. retail buyers coming from specialty channels.

The media impact from the Show generated over 300 million consumer impressions.

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Who exhibits in the Show?

There were nearly 2,000 exhibiting companies in the 2011 Show. Over one-third of these exhibitors are outside the United States. The Show is categorized into four expos and 13 product categories. For a complete list of expos and product categories visit www.housewares.org/show/info/product_expos.aspx

View a complete list of 2011 exhibitors

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When is the Show?

The 2012 International Home + Housewares Show is March 10-13 (Saturday-Tuesday).

Saturday 12:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Sunday - Monday   8:30 am - 5:30 pm
Tuesday   8:30 am - 5:00 pm

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Where is the Show held?

The Show is located in Chicago, Illinois USA at:

McCormick Place (Directions)
2301 S. Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60616
+1-312-791-7000 phone
+1-312-791-6543 fax
www.mccormickplace.com

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What are the future Show dates?

For information on Future Show dates please visit our Show Dates page.

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How do I receive an application and become an exhibitor at the Show?

To join the world’s largest home and housewares marketplace, you must first complete and submit the following:

  • 2012 Show Corporate Profile Questionnaire. Companies can complete this form online.
  • Company Biography or Company History
    (We would like to know more about your company. Tell us your story.)
  • Catalog Sheets - Original Catalog Sheets showing the products you intend to display. Make sure the catalog sheets include the name of your company.
  • Photo(s) of your product in consumer packaging
  • A photo of your booth display from a previous Trade Show

This information can be mailed or emailed to:

IHA
Attn: Trade Show Sales Team
6400 Shafer Court, Suite 650
Rosemont, IL 60018
Email:showteam@housewares.org

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What happens after I turn in all the required information for prospective exhibitors?

  • The Trade Show Sales Team will review the information submitted by your company and determine which category is best suited for your company and its products. This review takes approximately 5-10 business days.
  • Upon approval, a space application, floor plans, and membership application will be sent to the designated Trade Show Contact.

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What is the cost to exhibit at the Show?

The Show is operated by the not-for-profit International Housewares Association for the benefit of the global home products and housewares industry.

Value priced booth space. Association members will receive a significant discount on booth fees at the 2012 International Home + Housewares Show. IHA membership is $400 per year for companies with annual sales under $10 millions dollars and $700 for companies with annual sales over $10 million dollars. The membership rate for booth space is $13.50 per square foot. The non-member rate is $18.50 per square foot. There is an additional $350 charge per corner.

For additional information regarding membership please visit
www.housewares.org/iha/join/

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What does the cost of booth space include?
The cost of booth space includes the raw floor space for the duration of the Show and all of the various services listed under “What is included after I become and Exhibitor?” Exhibitors have the opportunity to design their own exhibit structure. A solid backwall, floor covering/carpet, and an identification sign are required. IHA encourages exhibitors to be creative in their booth and product presentation.

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What is the standard booth size?

Booth lengths (widths) are available in increments of 10 feet. Booth depths are available in either 10 feet or 15 feet. A floor plan with the various configurations will be included in your Space Application package and will be available online starting July 1st.

Booths in the gourmet food category are available in widths of 10 foot increments and depths of 5 feet or 10 feet. The smallest booth available is 50 square feet.

Metric equivalents
5 feet = 1.5 meters
10 feet = 3 meters
50 square feet = 4.5 square meters
100 square feet = 9 square meters

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Who is the official contractor?

Freeman is the Show’s official general contractor. They provide labor services and shipping services, exhibit rentals and design, drayage or material handling and furnishings

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Am I allowed to share booth space with another company?

The IHA only allows companies that are legally affiliated to share booth space.

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What is the deadline for companies to submit a space application to IHA?

The IHA accepts applications throughout the year. Previous exhibitors were required to submit the contract by the July 8, 2011 deadline. Prospective exhibitors who return their applications and payment early will have a better opportunity to obtain booth space in the Show. If the Show is sold out when the space application is received, a waitlist will be compiled. If no booth space is assigned, a full refund (minus membership fees) will be issued. Membership fees are non-refundable.

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What is included after I become an Exhibitor?

Maximize your Show by taking advantage of the following Free Show Services:

  • A Show Service Team ready to assist you in planning your Show and
    answer your questions about the home and housewares industry
  • Contact list of all registered buyers from the 2011 + 2012 Show
  • Access to global media whose Show reporting generates over 300 million consumer impressions
  • Lead retrieval unit for your booth. Record a contact list of every attendee who visits your booth
  • A year-round listing on Housewares Connect 365. Help buyers, media and consumers find you year-round on this website tool.
  • An Exhibitor Marketing Kit including many complimentary services for
    increasing buyer attendance before, during and after the Show and receiving
    media recognition
  • Exhibitor Services Information for displaying efficiently and cost-effectively
  • Exhibitor Badges
  • Signs to highlight what’s new and innovative in your booth
  • Complimentary meeting rooms located on each exhibit floor
  • E-mail access at the Show. E-mail computer stations are located on each
    exhibit floor
  • Shuttle bus or train service to all official Show hotels
  • Targeted program for attracting Specialty Retailers
For more information on services available to assigned exhibitors (click here)

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Where can I view floor plans for the upcoming Show?

www.housewares.org/show/exhibit/floorplans.aspx

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When will I receive information on show services and the various costs of these services, e.g. labor, furnishings, exhibit structures, utilities, etc.?

All exhibitors will receive an email regarding the online Exhibitor Service Manual in November. If a company is assigned booth space after November, a link to our website will be sent upon booth space assignment. If you have questions regarding pricing of services please contact a member of the Trade Show Sales Team by calling +1 847.292.4200

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What is Housewares Connect 365?

Housewares Connect 365
Help Buyers, Media AND Consumers Find You Year-Round on this website tool.
Housewares Connect 365 is a website tool available year-round to promote your company and products to buyers, media and consumers. The 21,000+ buyers attending the Show will use this tool prior the Show to plan their exhibitor visits and it will be accessed year-round by the half million annual visitors to our website. Your online listing includes:

  • company brands & licenses
  • company description
  • new products
  • catalogs
  • product images
  • on-site promotions
  • company logo
  • company video
  • company news/press releases

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What Pre-Show and On-site marketing opportunities are available?

All exhibitors will receive a Marketing Kit which includes several complimentary services to help market your company before, during and after the Show. This information is available in mid-November.

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How can I get more information about IHA and the International Home + Housewares Show?

To receive more information about the International Home + Housewares Show, please visit our web site at http://www.housewares.org or contact a member of the sales team:

Laiza Altaf
Manager, Trade Show Sales
gourmet food + specialty products, global crossroads, global design points
 Phone: 847-692-0101
Emai Laiza Altaf

Lisa Dahms
Manager, Trade Show Sales
Tabletop, Kitchen Essentials + Accents
 Phone: 847-692-0102
Email Lisa Dahms

Alyssa Fulton
Manager, Trade Show Sales
Wired + Well
Phone: 847-692-0125
Email Alyssa Fulton

Marie Kulik
Manager, Business Development
Discover Design
Phone: 847-692-0139
Email Marie Kulik

Katie Thill
Manager, Trade Show Sales
Clean, Contain + Sustain & Cook + Bakeware
Phone: 847-692-0122
Email Katie Thill


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