Interview Derek Miller, IHA
Derek Miller, President and CEO of the International Housewares Association, shares his thoughts on the past, present and future of The Inspired Home Show, as the organisation readies the 125th edition of this historic tentpole industry event
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You’ve had some time to digest this year’s show, look at the data and collect feedback. What were the key takeaways for you and the team? The Inspired Home Show 2024 was very successful. Through countless conversations and our post-show surveys, we know that the show had a very high level of satisfaction. Anytime you have happy exhibitors and happy buyers, you know that the show was a success. The movement of the Wired + Well Expo into the North Hall to co-locate with the Clean + Contain Expo created a more efficient experience for buyers, who were able to easily move back and forth between the North Hall and the South Hall, where the Dine + Décor Expo is located. We’ll continue with that layout in 2025. Next year is a milestone year for the show, the 125th edition. How are you marking the occasion? The 125th show is an incredible 24 KITCHENWARE INTERNATIONAL
milestone as it’s hard for any entity to remain meaningful since the 1930s. The Association began in 1938 as the House Furnishings Manufacturers Association of America (HFMAA), and the first show opened in 1939 at the Palmer House Hotel in Chicago. At the 2025 show, we’re working on displays to highlight the show’s 125th edition – a graphical representation of our rich history that visually highlights what we’ve been able to accomplish. It will be both interesting and fun to look back, especially at those early years, on just how much our trade show and exhibitors have evolved. In addition, HomePage News is working on a series of interviews and articles to highlight the history of the show through the companies, brands and products that have made an impact to the industry and ultimately to the consumer. Every year, the show has hundreds of new exhibitors that use the show to launch their brands and products. We need
to watch these companies, as a few new to the show this year will become tomorrow’s icons! There’s a lot of history behind the show. How are you and the team continuing its legacy of progress? IHA operates three Retail Advisory Councils – one for key retailers, a second for specialty retailers, and a
meaningful. We take this data to IHA’s May Board Meeting, which is geared toward strategic planning so that changes can be made to the show on both a short and long-term basis. What is the common thread that has remained at the heart of this event for more than a century? The show is known for newness
“The 125th show is an incredible milestone as it’s hard for any entity to remain meaningful since the 1930s” Derek Miller, President and CEO, IHA third for international buyers – that help us stay directly connected with the greater retail community. We meet with each group to get their direct feedback, not only on what they like about the show, but more importantly, what needs to change to make their experience more productive and
and innovation. In fact, over 10,000 new products were introduced at last year’s show, and we expect that number to increase next year. New products are the lifeblood of the industry, and the show is a destination for retailers to find new products and innovations that set them apart from their competition.