The participants of The Inspired Home Show® 2026 —which will take place March 10-12 at McCormick Place in Chicago— will have the opportunity to access a complete educational program that will include four keynotes and two days of thematic sessions at the Inspiration Theater.

These activities will address market opportunities, commercial strategies and the latest consumer insights, with the aim of helping suppliers and retailers gain a competitive advantage.

“In addition to the incredible opportunities linked to product discovery, trend identification and face-to-face networking, The Inspired Home Show offers a dynamic agenda of educational content”, said Derek Miller, president and CEO of the International Housewares Association (IHA)., organizing entity of the event. “Whether you are a manufacturer, brand, retailer, buyer or other industry professional, you will find new strategies, best practices and data-driven insights that may even challenge traditional approaches.”

Market analysts, trend specialists and experts in different areas will participate both on the main stage of the keynote conferences and in the Inspiration Theater. All sessions will be available at no additional cost to accredited Show attendees.

Keynotes

The four keynotes – taking place on Tuesday, March 10 and Wednesday, March 11 – will present high-level strategies and thought leadership focused on growth opportunities, the impact of artificial intelligence, the latest consumer trends and color trends.

The Future of AI: Your Business Depends On It Today
Tuesday, March 10 – 10:00 a.m.
Aaron Conant, Co-Founder & Chief Digital Strategist, BWG Connect
Udayan Bose, Co-Founder & CEO, NetElixir

Aaron Conant, from business technology networking platform BWG Connect, will lead a conversation with Udayan Bose, from global e-commerce solutions firm NetElixir, on how artificial intelligence is transforming business and e-commerce. The in-depth analysis will address what companies should take into account to optimize their investment in AI and prepare for a future marked by the development of generative AI and commerce based on intelligent agents, a reality that has already begun.

Growth Through Change: Inspiring Consumers with Proactive Disruption
Tuesday, March 10 – 1:00 p.m.
Joe Derochowski – Vice President & Home Industry Advisor, Circana

2026 will require changes in the way the home products industry thinks about growth and how companies interact with consumers increasingly focused on cost and basic needs. Given that trends do not have such a strong voice on the part of the consumer today, Derochowski will propose that brands take on a more active role, leading through inspiration and innovation. Topics to be discussed include eating behavior and the influence of GLP-1, social shopping and the use of artificial intelligence.

Top Trends — Survive or Thrive? Collaborative Insights to Sharpen Your Senses and Challenge Your Perceptions of the Modern Marketplace
Wednesday, March 11 – 10:00 a.m.
Tom Mirabile – Principal, Springboard Futures

The best defense against the unexpected is a dynamic understanding of buyer attitudes, expectations and behaviors. Mirabile, who also serves as a trend strategist and expert advisor for IHA, will share essential new data that reveals what consumers want, how they live and why they buy. Key findings will include the factors that drive positive feedback, shape the customer experience, and even create consumer frustration.

Sense-Abilities — The Most Directional Color and Design Trends
Wednesday, March 11 – 1:00 p.m.
Leatrice Eiseman – Executive Director, Pantone® Color Institute

For renowned color expert Leatrice (Lee) Eiseman, success in today's demanding market lies in interpreting the lifestyles and “emotional impulses” that lead consumers to choose products, goods or services. Eiseman will offer a highly visual session with the main color and design directions for the coming year, in addition to presenting the palettes included in the Pantone View Home + Interiors 2027 forecast.

The keynote conferences will take place in the South Building, Room S102.

Sessions at the Inspiration Theater

Educational sessions in the Inspiration Theater will offer analysis and practical information on specific topics that impact consumers, suppliers, retailers and the home goods community at large.

Among the planned topics are:
• Recommendations for operating a store on TikTok Shop
• How to leverage the connection between earned media coverage and the publishing trade
• Growth opportunities through licensing
• The growing influence of global gastronomy and flavors
• Best practices from award-winning retailers

Other sessions will provide updates on tariffs, PFAS legislation and the latest consumer lifestyle influences.

The Inspiration Theater activities will take place on Tuesday, March 10 and Wednesday, March 11 in the South Building, Room S101A.

More information about the keynotes is available at theinspiredhomeshow.com/education. Details about Inspiration Theater sessions and times will be announced soon.