Inspiration Theater program to feature forward-looking ideas and practical takeaways
ROSEMONT, IL (November 3, 2025) – Experts in key issues impacting the home and housewares industry are invited to submit speaker proposals for education sessions that will take place at The Inspired Home Show® 2026, the International Housewares Association (IHA) announced today. The Show, which connects suppliers of more than 2,000 brands with buyers from over 100 countries, will be held March 10-12, 2026 at Chicago’s McCormick Place.
“People in the industry know The Inspired Home Show as a premier global exposition of home and housewares products,” said Derek Miller, IHA president & CEO. “But in addition to connecting retailers and suppliers, each year our education program provides innovative and insightful programming that makes the Show essential to industry learning and growth.”
Experts on the latest business issues and trends are invited to submit proposals to speak during education sessions in the Show’s Inspiration Theater. Potential topics may include consumer behavior, marketing, merchandising, retail design, ecommerce, supply chain, intellectual property, partnerships and international opportunities. New for 2026, topics relevant to inventors or entrepreneurs will also be considered.
Sessions should provide both forward-looking ideas and practical takeaways. The deadline to submit proposals is December 1, 2025.
Inspiration Theater programs take place every hour over the Show’s three days and supplement the Show’s Keynote presentations, which typically take place twice daily on the Keynote stage. There is no cost for Show participants to attend education sessions, and Inspiration Theater presentations are audio recorded for online listening after the Show.
The Inspired Home Show brings together more than 2,000 unique brands and 300,000 products with both global and domestic buyers; U.S.-based attendees alone represent more than 100,000 retail locations and over $64B in buying power.
The 2026 Show will include five expos: Clean + Contain, Dine + Décor, International Sourcing, Travel Gear + Luggage, and Wired + Well. It will also feature attractions including the Debut incubator, Global Design Points pavilions and the Pantone ColorWatch display, along with networking opportunities throughout the Show’s three days.
New to the Show in 2026 will be the SPLiCE Licensing Hub – a destination produced in partnership with the Society of Product Licensors Committed to Excellence – that will connect retailers and product suppliers with brands interested in licensing deals. In addition, both the Pet Products Pavilion and the Candle Pavilion, which made their debuts at the 2025 Show, will return.
For more information on the Inspiration Theater and to submit a proposal, visit TheInspiredHomeShow.com/education/call-for-topics/. For more information about the Show and to register to attend, visit TheInspiredHomeShow.com.
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The International Housewares Association (IHA) is the 87-year-old voice of the home and housewares industry, dedicated to bringing buyers and sellers together. IHA hosts its premier global exposition of products for the home, The Inspired Home Show, in Chicago every March. Each year, the Show brings together more than 2,000 unique brands and 300,000 products with both global and domestic buyers; U.S.-based attendees alone represent more than 100,000 retail locations and over $64B in buying power. The not-for-profit, full-service Association also offers member companies a wide range of services including industry and government advocacy; export assistance; trend reports; executive management peer groups; group buying discounts; and an independent news and information platform, HomePageNews.com.
Follow IHA on LinkedIn and Facebook and The Inspired Home Show on LinkedIn, Instagram, X, Facebook and YouTube.
