Keeping in line with the new, more consumer lifestyle-focus of the event, The Inspired Home Show (formerly the International Home and Housewares Show) has redesigned all of its display areas to better align with the needs of buyers seeking to meet the emerging needs of their customers.
By creating new experiential and display areas, and enhancing those that already exist, the International Housewares Association (IHA) plans to shine a spotlight on new products and innovations and connect them directly to consumer and retailer trends.
IHA Market Watch (new)—as part of a new annual report and keynote presentation, IHA will unveil this companion display that features products leading the way on emerging consumer trends.
Smart Retail Experience (new)—noting today’s challenge of bringing consumers into brick and mortar stores, IHA will feature an experiential retail area in the Smart Home Pavilion demonstrating multiple ways to enhance the in-store experience, including augmented reality, RFID product recognition and information, heightened POS display opportunities and the ability to purchase customised, out-of-inventory items in an on-site environment.
b8ta—the ‘retail as a service’ model is back for another year in the Hall of Global Innovation. Retailers can experience progressive, new gadgets while also learning about how innovative uses of store space can add to revenue and drive new customer bases.
IHA Global Innovation Awards (gia) for Product Design (new location)—see 70 of the best-of-the-best new products for 2020. Hand-selected by an expert panel as the most innovative of the year, one finalist in each of the 14 categories will be named Global Honouree at the gala gia dinner on the first night of the show.
Discover | design Gallery—do not miss this curated collection of the most elegantly and intelligently designed products from around the world. The museum-like gallery leads to the Discover | design Expo where buyers will find high-end, design-forward concepts from across product categories and around the globe, many being seen for the first time at The Inspired Home Show.
Pantone ColourWatch (new location)—Pantone unveils the eight colour palettes representing the strongest home furnishing trends for 2021. Accompanying the palettes are showcases with exhibitor’s products in the forecasted colours. Buyers can browse the display on the way to the exhibit floor and find products they desire in the colour trends of the future.
New Product Showcases—these showcases feature hundreds of new products making their debut at the show. To help buyers find the new products or new suppliers, they will be able to scan products of interest and receive a list of the exhibitors and booth numbers before they leave.
IHA Global Innovations Awards (gia) for Retail Excellence (new location)—be inspired by the innovation in retailer merchandising excellence around the world. Thirty-two retail winners from 31 countries are featured on banners and in individual displays. Five lucky retailers also will be named Global Honourees. The Aussie gia entry is Few and Far.
The Inspired Home Show 2020 will be held March from 14 to 17 at Chicago’s McCormick Place Complex, and will feature more than 2,200 exhibitors from around the world, including 400 new companies exhibiting for the first time. More than 52,000 total attendees, including buyers from 130 countries, are expected.
