For inventors with new kitchen gadgets, cleaning tools,  and home innovations, one of the most powerful ways to gain traction is through a trade show. Unlike online submissions or cold pitches, trade shows put your product in front of decision-makers who are actively seeking new ideas. And in the housewares industry, no event offers more visibility than The Inspired Home Show, hosted by the International Housewares Association (IHA).

The Show attracts top home and housewares product suppliers, as well as top GMMs, DMMs, buyers and distributors from around the world. According to 2025 registration data, 93% of verified retailers have purchase authority. U.S.-based attendees alone represent more than 100,000 retail locations and over $64 million in buying power.

Why Trade Shows Matter for Inventors

Exhibiting at a trade show means more than showing off your invention. It is about accessing a concentrated hub of opportunity. In just a few days, you can:

• Meet retail buyers, licensing companies, and distributors face-to-face.

• Build relationships and connections that are difficult to create through emails or small-scale events.

• Gain credibility and exposure by being part of a recognized industry showcase.

• Collect real-time feedback from professionals, potential customers, and the press.

• Position yourself ahead of competitors by standing out in a space buyers visit to find fresh products.

For inventors, these benefits are vital. The right conversation at a trade show can lead to retail placement, licensing deals, or partnerships that would otherwise take months, or years, to develop.

The Inspired Home Show: March 10–12, 2026

The upcoming opportunity to showcase your invention comes at The Inspired Home Show 2026, taking place March 10–12 at McCormick Place in Chicago, IL. As the largest housewares-focused trade show in North America, it draws thousands of attendees from around the world, including major retailers, distributors, and media outlets.

Inventors Corner: A Spotlight for Innovation

Within this massive event, the Inventors Corner is a dedicated section created exclusively for independent inventors. It’s consistently one of the most visited areas of the show because buyers know it’s where they need to be to discover original, emerging ideas across all housewares categories. This includes innovations from prototypes to polished market-ready solutions.

For inventors, this means gaining representation in a space specifically curated for innovation, where attendees expect and value inventive new approaches to everyday products. It’s not just a booth, it’s positioning within one of the most dynamic attractions at the entire show.

Submission Process for Inventors

Submitting your invention is free and straightforward through IHA’s partnership with MarketBlast:

1. Sign up for a free account at www.marketblast.com.

2. Add your product(s) to your account.

3. On the Open Hunts tab, search “Inspired” and submit to The Inspired Home Show.

( A direct submission link is also featured above). 

There are no upfront submission fees or commissions. The Inspired Home Show team will review your product and determine if it qualifies for the Inventors Corner. If accepted, inventors then purchase a booth to present their product live in Chicago.

Submission Criteria

• Products must be part of the housewares industry. (See the MarketBlast hunt listing for detailed categories.)

• Both prototypes and finished products are eligible.

• A booth purchase is required upon acceptance.

Take the Next Step

If you’ve been searching for ways to get your kitchen tool, cleaning product, or home innovation noticed, this is your chance. Submit your product for review and apply to exhibit at the Inventors Corner during The Inspired Home Show 2026, March 10–12 in Chicago.

Learn more at theinspiredhomeshow.com and begin your submission process today at MarketBlast.