Space Applications Now Open For The Inspired Home Show® 2027

ROSEMONT, ILL. (June 3, 2026)—Space applications are now open for The Inspired Home Show® 2027, the premier exposition for the home and housewares industry organized annually by the International Housewares Association (IHA). The 2027 Show – to be held Tuesday-Thursday, March 9-11 at Chicago’s McCormick Place – will feature a reimagined Show floor that unites its core product categories to deliver a more dynamic, discovery-driven and engaging marketplace experience for both buyers and exhibitors.

“From startup brands and independent stores to global suppliers and leading retailers, The Inspired Home Show unites the home and housewares industry for top-to-top meetings, all under one roof, over just three days,” said IHA President & CEO Derek Miller. “For 2027, we’ve made some enhancements that will create a more connected, experiential and globally focused Show — delivering more opportunities for discovery, engagement and meaningful business connections across both halls.”

The first set of enhancements involve a new Show configuration. To maximize McCormick Place’s South Hall and create stronger connections across categories, the Show will bring together the industry’s core groupings — Clean + Contain, Dine + Décor and Wired + Well — into one vibrant and high-energy destination.

The North Hall will be established as a Global Marketplace and a dedicated destination for global manufacturing and sourcing. This includes International Sourcing exhibitors, select Global Design Point Pavilions and dedicated networking and hospitality spaces, including the International Business Center, registration and a café.

In 2027, participants will also be able to enjoy integrated activations that will enhance the Show experience. New activations will include:

* Innovation District, which brings together three powerful Show elements – the Inventors Corner, the IHA Global Innovation Awards (gia) Student Design Winners, and the Inspiration Theater – to create a high-energy destination centered on fresh thinking and creative ideas.

* Discovery Park, which transforms the Debut incubator for smaller brands or new-to-the-Show exhibitors into a park-inspired destination celebrating newness.

* Industry Content Hubs – including the Pantone® ColorWatch Display, Buyers Club & New Product Showcase, and Keynote Theater – which will create spaces for learning, networking and discovery.

* Connection + Dwell Spaces – including the New Exhibitor Showcase & Lounge, gia Retail Winners & Lounge, Business Center, and a Café – which provide built-in opportunities for meetings, conversations and recharging.

* Editorial Studio, which brings the News Center onto the Show floor and transforms behind-the scenes functions into a destination for storytelling and a curated hub for media and content creation.

Other popular activations returning in 2027 include:

* Pet Products Pavilion, with the addition of a Puppy Park, allowing for pet-related products to meet real-life interaction. Launched in 2025 and produced in collaboration with the American Pet Products Association.

* Candle Pavilion, which adds an extremely popular home accent category to buyers’ discovery opportunities. Launched in 2025 and produced in collaboration with the National Candle Association.

* SPLiCE Licensing Hub, which connects attendees with brands interested in licensing deals. Launched in 2026 and produced in collaboration with the Society of Product Licensors Committed to Excellence (SPLiCE).

Exhibitors can now applyfor space at the 2027 Show.

Also new for 2027, booth space will be assigned using a new priority-based system that considers seniority (based on exhibiting consecutive years, IHA membership, and booth size in 2026 and 2025), booth size and configuration (including expansion requests), premium availability (limited high-visibility locations), and overall floor plan efficiency (traffic flow, utilities and safety).

There will be no rate increase for IHA members requesting regular space. Members who apply and pay before July 10, 2026 will also receive an early application discount of $2 per square foot.

IHA members may also apply for premium exhibit space, a new offering for the 2027 Show. Premium space will be available at a higher base rate than regular space, but the early application discount will also apply.

Non-members may also apply for space, but early application discounts and premium spaces are not available.

More details and a FAQ on space applications, the new priority-based system, and 2027 rates are available at 2027 Exhibitor Application | The Inspired Home Show.

The Inspired Home Show 2026 showcased over 1,000 exhibitors, thousands of unique brands, and hundreds of thousands of products to attendees from over 100 countries at Chicago’s McCormick Place. The Show attracted senior-level executives, DMMs, GMMs and buyers from nearly all the key retailers; U.S.-based buyers alone attending the Show represented more than 100,000 retail locations and nearly $75 billion in buying power.

“2026 participants consistently told us how much they appreciated the opportunity to meet face-to-face with decision-makers from the biggest players in the industry, but also to discover new, emerging brands from all over the world,” said Miller. “The diverse mix of buyers, sellers and media professionals makes the Show an essential platform for relationship-building and business growth.” 

The International Housewares Association (IHA) is the 88-year-old voice of the home and housewares industry, dedicated to bringing buyers and sellers together. IHA hosts its premier exposition of products for the home, The Inspired Home Show, in Chicago every March. Each year, the Show brings together thousands of unique brands and hundreds of thousands of products with both global and domestic buyers; U.S.-based attendees alone represent more than 100,000 retail locations and nearly $75 billion 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 LinkedInand Facebookand The Inspired Home Show on LinkedIn,Instagram,X, Facebook, YouTubeand TikTok.