Tuesday, March 10
10:00 a.m. – 10:50 a.m.
Keynotes, South Building, S102
The Future of AI: Your Business Depends On It Today
Aaron Conant, co-founder of commerce technology networking platform BWG Connect, will lead a fireside chat with Udayan Bose, founder and CEO of NetElixir, an AI-First digital agency for global e-commerce brands, on how AI is already reshaping how businesses operate and grow.
This conversation will cut through the hype to make AI practical and accessible for business leaders and marketers. The session will explore the difference between AI that drives performance (predictive analytics, machine learning and first-party data) and AI that drives efficiency (GenAI and human-in-the-loop automation), where most companies are on the AI adoption curve, and why starting now matters more than being perfect.
The session will share real-world examples of successful AI integration and outline a simple, outcome-driven approach to adoption that allows companies to reinvest valuable time into higher-value human judgment and new growth opportunities.
Aaron Conant, co-founder, BWG Connect
Udayan Bose, founder and CEO, NetElixir
11:10 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Inspiration Theater, South Building, S101A
The Future of Things, AI, Sustainability and IP in the Home
The home of the future is smart, sustainable and increasingly AI-designed. But who owns an AI-generated design? How can innovators protect eco-friendly products that rely on shared or open-source data and materials? This session explores how emerging technologies — from artificial intelligence to sustainable design and connected devices — are reshaping the boundaries of intellectual property in the home and housewares industry. Attendees will learn how creators and companies can balance openness with protection and prepare for tomorrow’s IP challenges today.
Lisa Holubar, Irwin IP, a part of Miller Johnson
Faye Vasilopoulos, Irwin IP, a part of Miller Johnson
12:10 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Inspiration Theater, South Building, S101A
Optimizing Social Commerce: Best Practices for Starting and Managing a TikTok Shop
Social Commerce, the integration of shopping directly within social media platforms, has exploded since 2020, transforming how consumers discover and purchase products. TikTok Shop is leading the charge, creating a seamless ecosystem where entertainment meets instant transactions. Brands are now deciding how much of their marketing to spend on influencer partnerships, sponsored content and live shopping events, recognizing that TikTok creators are the new storefronts. These creators don’t just promote products; they drive massive viewership that converts directly into sales. This presentation explores how to harness TikTok Shop’s social commerce engine, covering proven strategies for launch, creator collaboration and sustained growth on the platform where attention equals revenue.
Jack Ahmadi, Prestige Brands
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Keynotes, South Building S102
Growth Through Change: Inspiring Consumers with Proactive Disruption
2026 will require changes in the ways the home products industry thinks about growth and how they interact with consumers who have become most focused on cost concerns and basic needs. As a result, consumers are not lenidng as loud a voice to trends, which means marketers need to take the reins and lead the consumer through inspiration and innovation. In this keynote session, Circan’s Joe Derochowski will explore ways the home products industry can re-engage with the consumer — from eating behavior and GLP-1 influence, to social shopping and AI.
Joe Derochowski, VP & Home Industry Advisor, Circana
2:10 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Inspiration Theater, South Building, S101A
Understanding Global Food & Flavor Trends for Housewares Growth
Food and flavor play important roles in today’s home and housewares trends. In this session, we will explore current and emerging trends, their influence on the foods consumers will be craving and their impact on the products needed to prepare, serve, entertain and even decorate with them. Retailer and manufacturer attendees will discover the importance of incorporating global food and flavor trends into their growth and assortment planning.
Leigh Ann Schwarzkopf, Project Partners Network
3:10 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Inspiration Theater, South Building, S101A
Inside the HomePage News InSight Trend Index: A Curated Review of Home & Housewares Lifestyle Influences
Now in its third year, the HomePage News InSight Trend Index has evolved into a primary resource for evaluating market, product and consumer trends in the home and housewares industry. Join InSight creators Tom Mirabile, Principal, Springboard Futures and Consumer Lifestyle Trend Analyst, and Dawn Evans, InSight Trend Index Creative Director, along with HomePage News Editor-in-Chief Peter Giannetti, to explore how InSight can be used to develop more engaging and differentiated assortments. They will review current trend highlights and some of the new perspectives they’ll be exploring throughout the coming year.
Tom Mirabile, Principal, Springboard Futures
Dawn Evans, HomePage News InSight Trend Index
4:10 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Inspiration Theater, South Building, S101A
Driving Growth Through the Intersection of Earned Media and Editorial Commerce
With the evolution of key media platforms as trusted resources for authentic trend and product guidance, a growing opportunity has emerged to convert such content into commercial access to the featured products. In this panel, editorial and content strategists from some of the most popular and influential home and lifestyle media brands will discuss best practices for leveraging independent, trustworthy earned editorial coverage as a key channel for direct consumer engagement and e-commerce.
Jessica Dodell-Feder, Yahoo Life Commerce
Katie Maguire, Apartment Therapy Media
Nicole Papantoniou, Good Housekeeping Institute Lab
5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
S100 Lobby
HYPE
HYPE is an annual networking event hosted by the Young Professional Advisory Council. It’s a great way to network with your peers in the housewares industry in a casual and fun environment full of music, cocktails and conversation.
6:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
S100 Lobby
gia Gala
For more than 25 years, the Global Innovation Awards (gia) have recognized and honored the best in home + housewares retailing, product design and student innovation. Finalists are on display throughout the Show; on Tuesday night, the Global Honorees will be revealed.
This event is by invitation only.
