The International Housewares Association (IHA) announced the creation of a new edition of the Chief Housewares Executive SuperSession (CHESS), one of the most important executive meetings in the international household goods industry. The event will take place on the days September 29 and 30, 2026 at the Hilton Rosemont, near Chicago's O'Hare Airport, and will bring together retail leaders, manufacturers and specialists to discuss the main challenges and opportunities in the market.

The 2026 edition will be focused on the changes that the industry is going through, with an agenda that will address topics such as artificial intelligence, consumer trends, international trade, logistics, tariffs, regulation and the evolution of the retail business.

One of the highlights of the program will be the conference of Mara Sirhal, Senior Vice President of Home Merchandising at Target, who will share the company's strategy to strengthen its home products business. The executive will explain the role that this category will play within the retailer's new growth plan, based on design, innovation and an accessible value proposition for consumers.

Sirhal joined Target in November 2025 and has more than two decades of experience in merchandising, branding and sourcing. Before joining the company, he held leadership positions at QVC & HSN U.S., Saks Off 5th, Bed Bath & Beyond, and Macy’s.

“CHESS 2026 offers a unique opportunity for industry leaders to step away from everyday dynamics for a moment and exchange ideas on the topics that are defining the future of business,” he noted. Derek Miller, president and CEO of IHA. “Participants will have access to exclusive information, top-level specialists and valuable opportunities to create connections with other executives in the sector.”

In addition to Target's participation, the program will bring together renowned experts from the industry and the retail ecosystem. The various conferences and panels will analyze the impact of economic and regulatory changes, the evolution of supply chains, consumer trends and prospects for the global household goods market.

Artificial intelligence will be one of the central axes of the meeting. Several sessions will be dedicated to the development of the agentic commerce and generative artificial intelligence, with a focus on how companies can incorporate these technologies and prepare their teams to take advantage of their potential.

As in every edition, CHESS will combine a high-level program with networking spaces between executives, manufacturers and retailers, consolidating itself as one of the main areas of exchange and updating for the global home industry.