The International Housewares Association is offering a discounted exhibit space rate for The Inspired Home Show 2026 as part of a new Tariff Relief Program for the home and housewares industry.
The program also includes an extension of the early space application deadline and exhibitor payment flexibility for The Inspired Home Show 2026, set for March 10-12 at Chicago’s McCormick Place in a new Tuesday-through-Thursday pattern.
“With tariffs reshaping the consumer goods landscape, The Inspired Home Show offers a critical venue for gaining a competitive edge, finding sourcing alternatives and connecting with industry leaders,” said Derek Miller, IHA president & CEO. “The tariff relief program is designed to alleviate barriers to participation, as the 2026 Show may be one of the most important yet for housewares suppliers to navigate shifting market dynamics and connect face-to-face with the buying community.”
Central to IHA Tariff Relief Program for The Inspired Home Show 2026 is a discount of $4 per square foot (approximately 17%) on exhibit space for members, according to IHA. This is on top of a previously announced rate freeze from 2025. The new discount will be applied to all member exhibiting companies, whether they’ve already signed up and/or paid for the 2026 Show or if they apply in coming months, IHA reported.
In addition, the early exhibit space application deadline for the 2026 Show of July 7, 2025, has been extended to July 21, 2025. As in years past, exhibiting companies will still be able to apply after July 21 in the regular application period. However, there is a cost-savings and other benefits involved with membership and submitting early applications, according to IHA.
A corresponding payment flexibility program has been enacted for 2026 Inspired Home Show exhibitors. Companies may to pay in full by July 21 with a full refund offered by August 29. The IHA also offering two payment plans that allow for staggered payments over the coming months. Whichever payment scenario a company chooses, the $4 per-square-foot discount will apply, according to IHA.
Complete details on the application periods, deadlines and payment plans can be found on The Inspired Home Show website.
IHA’s Board of Directors and staff developed the new Tariff Relief Program to help members and the industry during this turbulent period, Miller noted.
“Fortunately, IHA is in solid fiscal health, having rebuilt financial reserves through careful management to a level just under where we were in 2019 before the pandemic,” Miller said. “This has allowed us to adjust and provide additional support to members in these uncertain economic times.”
In recent months, IHA has introduced several initiatives to help members navigate tariffs, including educational webinars, advocacy campaigns and partnerships. All of these initiatives, in addition to a wide variety of sourcing and other resources, are available on IHA’s Tariff Resources page.
IHA’s upcoming executive networking and education conference – Chief Housewares Executive SuperSession or CHESS – will also focus on navigating tariffs and global sourcing issues. This event, which will be held October 7-8, 2025, will include a variety of education sessions tackling timely topics involving more responsive supply chains, workforce optimization and the latest retail and consumer intelligence.
