This March, the home and housewares community will meet up at The Inspired Home Show 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. This annual event regularly plays host to over 52,000 home and housewares professionals from around the globe who want to discover new products, learn about industry trends, network with leaders and executives from top retail and manufacturer brands, and gain insights, leads and exposures for the coming year.
Buyers and sellers alike forge new business relationships that’ll last at The Inspired Home Show.
The Show is owned and operated by the International Housewares Association (IHA), which has a rich history within the housewares industry dating back more than 80 years. They know how to put on a successful show. If you’re exhibiting, you’ll want to prepare yourself for success as well.
And that starts with an effective, well-designed tradeshow booth! Read on for all the details about the Inspired Home Show.
Show Hours and Information
March 4 – 7, 2023
McCormick Place, Chicago, Illinois
Looking for a local Chicago tradeshow booth builder for the upcoming Inspired Home Show?
Contact Exhibit Experience for your complimentary consultation.
Exhibiting at The Inspired Home Show 2023
If your company deals in home products, whether that’s retail or manufacturing, you need to be exhibiting at this show. The Inspired Home Show 2023 can position your brand as an innovator and leader in home and housewares.
The 2023 trade show is divided up into five different Expos.
- Clean & Contain
- Dine & Décor
- Discover: Design
- Wired & Well
- International Sourcing
The over 2,000 exhibiting companies with products spanning 19 different categories will display their products at these expos, making it easy for attendees to find what they’re looking for. This means your first step as an exhibitor is to make sure you pick the right expo for your brand. Here’s a quick rundown of each expo (find out more on the Inspired Home website):
DISCOVER | design
- Unique pieces that define the home and the retailer.
- High-end, design-driven concepts in multiple product categories from around the world.
- Unique, trendy items that cannot be found elsewhere.
Clean & Contain
- Organization and storage products designed to be seen.
- Inventive, stylish ways to care for the home.
- Products that streamline the home and contribute to its aesthetic, allowing for function AND fashion.
Dine & Décor
- Fashion-forward, innovative products for the kitchen and dining room.
- Functional and decorative housewares products that help prepare and serve inspired meals with beauty and encourage them to create
- their own unique styles
Wired & Well
- Newest technologies in kitchen, household and personal care electrics.
- Products that provide function, information, feedback and control.
- Collection of home appliances that simplify everything from cooking and cleaning to air and water treatment to tracking fitness goals.
International Sourcing
- Unbranded products from around the world.
- Products in their infancy that can be customized.
- Latest global housewares trends.
All around the show, the IHA organizers are putting up curated displays providing insight and inspiration to show attendees.
But who, exactly, are the show attendees?
Over 52,000 people attended the 2019 show, which was the last in-person Home + Housewares show. 99 percent of key US Housewares buyers were among those attendees, and more than 8,000 International attendees flew in from 130 different countries.
The media alone for the 2019 show generated over 350 million consumer impressions!
That in itself is impressive.
So how do you convert this information into a successful exhibition booth?
Well, there are two options here.
Option 1: DIY
The first is designing and building your own booth. The Inspired Home Show provides Booth Design Tips as part of the Exhibitor Marketing Kit. Thing is, this takes a lot of manpower and, for those who have never exhibited before, can be very overwhelming.
Option 2: Find local tradeshow exhibit rentals for the upcoming Inspired Home Show
Exhibit booths require expert administration, management and design, with the show and brand needs in mind. Over the past few years, we have delivered hundreds of booths in a variety of configurations conferences and expo across the country. Our expert design staff and build teams understand the unique challenges of marketing your brand at The Inspired Home Show.
We are also up-to-date on all safety and health guidelines.
Know which size you need
Hiring a booth builder will take a lot of the pain out of this painstaking process. Make sure you’re ready for them to come in and design your booth by having an idea of which size booth you need!
Plus, you’ll likely have to pick your booth space when you register as an exhibitor.
Exhibit Experience has lots of, well, experience when it comes to picking the right size for your brand. Depending on your target audience and product, certain booth sizes are better suited for certain products. These are the booth sizes we suggest, as well as their specific advantages:
10 x 10 Exhibit Rentals:
10 x 10 Exhibit Rentals are ideal for exhibitors who have a single product to display or smaller items in collections. You have room for multiple display cases, 3D graphic wall, custom light display and flooring, and one seating configuration.
10 x 20 Exhibit Rentals:
10 x 20 Exhibit Rentals are a good solution for those showing a few large products or a variety of smaller products. It has 20 feet of graphic back wall, multiple seating configurations for demonstrations and education, in addition to custom light and flooring that come standard with our exhibit rentals.
20 x 20 Exhibit Rentals:
In previous years, we would recommend an exhibit of this size or our custom configurations because they offer demonstration space, enclosures for private viewing, and dozens of other configuration options. However, we understand that many companies have limited budgets this year. If you want to elevate your booth above the rest, ask us about these options.
Need a reliable booth builder for the Inspired Home Show?
Exhibit Experience is the preferred trade show booth builder for the upcoming Inspired Home Show. We produce state-of-the-art exhibits within a variety of budgets. From custom to pre-certified exhibits, we’ll have the booth you need to show your company the right way. We will:
- Design and build your exhibit to the right specs
- Provide 24-hour support throughout the trade show.
- Set up and take down your booth
The Exhibit Experience team has over two decades of experience delivering custom exhibits and custom modular exhibits that see instant results. Our exhibit management services are all-inclusive, from design to delivery. We will deliver your exhibit on time, on budget, and following all safety protocols.
If you are looking for an Inspired Home Show trade show booth builder, look no further than Exhibit Experience! Contact us today for a complimentary consultation.
Dimensional Strategy: Selecting the Optimal Booth Size
Exhibit Experience offers customized solutions across a comprehensive range of booth dimensions to align with your specific marketing objectives, budgetary parameters, and venue requirements:
- 10′ × 10′ (100 sq ft): Entry-level presence with focused messaging
- 10′ × 20′ (200 sq ft): Enhanced linear exposure with expanded demonstration capabilities
- 20′ × 20′ (400 sq ft): Premium presence with significant impact potential in peninsula or island configurations
- 20′ × 30′ (600 sq ft): Extended engagement space allowing for multiple activity zones
- 30′ × 30′ (900 sq ft): Substantial presence enabling comprehensive brand storytelling
- 30′ × 40′ (1,200 sq ft): Commanding footprint supporting complex multi-functional exhibits
Each dimensional increment represents not simply additional square footage, but expanded strategic possibilities for engagement, demonstration, and differentiation within the competitive exhibition landscape.
Navigating Regulatory Parameters: Essential Compliance Guidelines
Successful exhibition strategy requires not only creative vision but meticulous adherence to industry regulations and venue-specific requirements. The following regulatory considerations represent critical compliance factors for all exhibitors:
1. Vertical Space Utilization & Height Restrictions
Linear/Inline Booth Regulations:
- Maximum 8′ (2.5m) height allowance at back wall
- Graduated height restrictions approaching the aisle
- 4′ (1.2m) height limitation within 5′ (1.5m) of aisle frontage
- Strict enforcement to prevent sight line obstruction
Perimeter Booth Regulations:
- Enhanced rear wall height allowance up to 12′ (3.7m)
- Maintained 4′ (1.2m) height limitation within 5′ (1.5m) of aisle
- Specific venue guidelines may apply to projection heights
Peninsula Booth Regulations:
- Height allowances typically between 16′-20′ (4.9m-6.1m)
- Potential restrictions within 5′ (1.5m) of adjoining exhibits
- Back wall finishing requirements when visible to neighboring exhibits
- Prohibition of competitor-facing logos on reverse surfaces
Split Island Booth Regulations:
- Height allowances comparable to peninsula booths (typically 16′-20′)
- Shared back wall must be finished on both sides with neutral coloration
- Branding must not intrude onto neighboring exhibitor’s space
- Typically requires coordinated approval of structural elements along shared boundary
- Specialized rules may govern sound projection toward the shared boundary
Island Booth Regulations:
- Maximum height utilization (typically 16′-20′ depending on venue)
- Ability to incorporate suspended elements with proper approvals
- Rigorous engineering certification requirements for multi-level structures
- Line-of-sight considerations for suspended signage
2. ADA Compliance Requirements: Creating Accessible Exhibits
The Americans with Disabilities Act establishes non-negotiable standards for exhibit accessibility:
- Universal Experience Mandate: Exhibits must provide substantially equivalent experiences to all attendees regardless of physical ability
- Pathway Requirements: Minimum 36″ (91cm) clear path throughout exhibit areas
- Elevation Transitions: Any raised platform exceeding ½” requires ADA-compliant ramping with specific slope ratios (1:12 maximum)
- Interactive Element Placement: Engagement features must be accessible from wheelchair height (maximum 48″ reach range)
- Audiovisual Considerations: Presentations should incorporate captioning when feasible
- Service Animal Accommodation: Sufficient clearance for service animals throughout exhibit spaces
Non-compliance with ADA requirements carries significant consequences, including potential removal from the event, financial penalties, and reputational damage. Professional exhibit partners provide invaluable guidance in designing fully compliant spaces that elegantly accommodate all visitors.
3. Spatial Boundary Enforcement
Exhibit footprints are contractually defined with zero tolerance for encroachment:
- All exhibit elements including product displays, literature racks, and furniture must remain completely within the defined booth space
- Projection of images, lighting effects, or sound beyond booth boundaries is strictly prohibited
- Suspended elements must be positioned within the vertical projection of the booth footprint
- Unauthorized marketing activities outside designated booth space (“guerrilla marketing”) may result in penalty fees or expulsion
4. Sight Line Preservation Protocol
Exhibition environments function through carefully calibrated visual accessibility:
- Structures exceeding 4′ (1.2m) in height are prohibited within the front 5′ (1.5m) of standard and perimeter booths
- Peninsula exhibits must consider neighbor visibility when positioning tall elements
- Transparent or semi-transparent materials are recommended for necessary partitions in high-traffic visibility zones
- Interactive displays must be positioned to prevent aisle congestion
5. Illumination & Electrical Safety Standards
Lighting design must balance impact with consideration for the overall exhibition environment:
- Directional lighting must be focused inward toward the exhibitor’s own space
- Strobe effects, flashing sequences, and moving lights typically require special permission
- Lighting intensity must avoid creating uncomfortable glare for attendees or neighboring exhibitors
- All electrical connections must comply with local building codes and certification requirements
- Cable management must eliminate tripping hazards through appropriate concealment or floor covering
- Power load calculations must be submitted in advance for verification against venue capacity
6. Intellectual Property & Audio Licensing Requirements
Content presentation within exhibits carries specific legal obligations:
- Music, video content, and other copyrighted materials require appropriate licensing documentation
- Performance rights organizations (ASCAP, BMI, SESAC) may actively monitor compliance at major events
- Volume levels for audio content are subject to specific decibel limitations
- Scheduled presentations must adhere to show management guidelines regarding frequency and duration
- Alternative solutions include royalty-free music libraries and blanket license arrangements available through show management
Location-Specific Compliance: Navigating Regional Requirements
Major exhibition venues maintain distinct regulatory frameworks that may supplement or modify industry standards:
- Las Vegas Convention Center: Stringent fire safety requirements with specific material certification needs and unique rules for multi-level structures
- Orange County Convention Center (Orlando): Specialized electrical codes and detailed rigging regulations for suspended elements
- McCormick Place (Chicago): Union labor requirements and specific loading dock procedures that impact installation timelines
- Javits Center (New York): Enhanced security protocols and specific weight-bearing limitations for exhibit components
- International Venues: Substantially different regulatory approaches requiring specialized knowledge of local standards and certification requirements
Professional exhibit partners with experience across multiple jurisdictions provide invaluable guidance in navigating these complex and constantly evolving regulatory landscapes.
Exhibit Experience: Your Partner in Exhibition Excellence
Creating impactful, compliant trade show environments requires specialized expertise that transcends standard marketing capabilities. Exhibit Experience delivers turnkey solutions characterized by:
Comprehensive Design Integration Our design process incorporates regulatory compliance from conceptual development through final execution, eliminating costly modifications and ensuring seamless approval processes.
In-House Production Capabilities Vertical integration of manufacturing and graphic production provides unparalleled quality control while accommodating compressed timelines:
- Direct oversight of fabrication processes
- Elimination of third-party communication inefficiencies
- Rapid response capability for last-minute adjustments
- Proprietary quality control protocols exceeding industry standards
Dedicated Installation Teams Unlike providers relying on temporary labor, our specialized installation professionals:
- Maintain intimate familiarity with our proprietary systems
- Execute with precision honed through repeated collaboration
- Provide continuity from project to project
- Deliver exceptional problem-solving capabilities on-site
Strategic Geographical Positioning Our operational presence in primary exhibition hubs delivers substantial logistical advantages:
- Reduced shipping costs and transit risks
- Enhanced scheduling flexibility
- Rapid response capability for unexpected challenges
- Established relationships with venue management teams
Conclusion: Elevating Your Exhibition Strategy
Strategic trade show participation represents one of the most significant marketing investments many organizations make annually. Maximizing the return on this investment demands not just creative excellence, but sophisticated understanding of the technical, regulatory, and logistical factors that determine success.
By partnering with Exhibit Experience, you gain access to specialized expertise that transforms these complex considerations into seamless execution—allowing your team to focus on what matters most: meaningful engagement with your target audience and the advancement of your strategic objectives.
Ready to elevate your exhibition strategy? Contact Exhibit Experience today for a consultative assessment of your trade show program and discover how our integrated approach can enhance your brand presence while optimizing your marketing investment.
