Connecting Students to Industry Innovation at the Inspired Home Show
What happens when students step outside the classroom and into a global marketplace of innovation?
In March, the Society of Innovators at Purdue Northwest partnered with organizers of the Inspired Home Show to bring a small group of Northwest Indiana students to the show’s Student Experience Day at McCormick Place in Chicago.
Hosted by the International Housewares Association, the Inspired Home Show is one of the world’s largest gatherings of home and housewares professionals. It features more than 2,000 brands and over 300,000 products, drawing attendees from more than 100 countries. For students, it offers a firsthand look at how ideas move from concept to consumer.
Among those students were Purdue Northwest seniors Elizabeth Ciprez-Contreras and Nathalia “Talia” Teves. Both are majoring in management with a concentration in entrepreneurship in PNW’s College of Business.
Connecting Students to Industry
For the Society of Innovators, experiences like this are intentional.
Innovation happens where ideas, people and industries intersect. By connecting students to events like the Inspired Home Show, the Society helps bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world application.
For Elizabeth, that exposure immediately changed her perspective. “It was way better than what I imagined,” she said. “I didn’t expect it to be as lively. A lot of the things that I saw were really useful and things I would want to have in the future.”
From Observation to Inspiration
Walking the show floor meant more than seeing products. It meant experiencing innovation as both a consumer and a future entrepreneur. “I would like to see some of those prototypes out in the market. I would want them as a consumer,” Elizabeth said.
For Talia, the experience highlighted how innovation often lives at the intersection of function and lifestyle.
One standout example was the Cove concept, part of the Global Innovation Awards (gia) Excellence in Student Design competition. Designed by University of Wisconsin–Stout student Loyal Prach, Cove earned third place and reimagines the everyday lunchbox as a temperature-controlled system capable of both heating and cooling meals, offering greater flexibility and convenience for users on the go.
She also highlighted brands like ASOBU®, where playful features and customization transform everyday products into something more engaging and personal, along with practical innovations like Prepara’s Berry Pod and Salad Pod.
Across categories, the lesson was clear. Innovation is not always about creating something entirely new. It is often about improving how people experience everyday life.
There’s so much opportunity out there. You just have to get yourself out there and talk to people.
A Real-World Learning Environment
Trade shows like the Inspired Home Show provide a real-time view of how business gets done.
Students can observe how brands position themselves, how products are pitched and how buyers make decisions, all within a single day. They can also discover something unexpected. The show is not just about products. It is about people, relationships and opportunities.
For Talia, that realization came through conversations with companies on the show floor. “You go in thinking you’re just going to look at products, but there’s so much more networking involved,” she said. “There’s so much opportunity out there. You just have to get yourself out there and talk to people.”
She learned about student shadowing and career development opportunities from brands like Brio Water and professionals from companies such as Estée Lauder. Those interactions helped shift her perspective from observer to participant.
Elizabeth saw a similar connection to her own academic and professional goals. “It really did teach me more about how to pitch a brand product. It was really cool to see it in action,” she said.
She also saw how hands-on product experiences influence decision-making. “I got to test out the product. That’s really helpful to know the quality and the design,” she said, referencing her experience with ASOBU® water bottles.
In a world increasingly shaped by digital communication, the experience reinforced an important principle. Relationships and real-time interactions still matter.
From Student to Future Innovator
Perhaps the most meaningful outcome was the shift in mindset. Exposure to the gia exhibits and the broader show environment helped students begin to see themselves not just as observers, but as future participants.
“It gave me a lot of inspiration. I definitely want to have a booth of my own one day,” Elizabeth said.
Talia echoed that sense of possibility. “There’s a lot of brands out there that I can’t wait to see grow,” she said. “There’s so much innovation in the housewares industry, and I can’t wait to see where it’s going.”
Why Experiences Like This Matter
The Inspired Home Show is more than a trade show. It is a global platform where product innovation meets consumer insight and where students can see how ideas scale into real businesses.
As Elizabeth reflected: “Every student, especially in business or entrepreneurship, should attend. It gives you a feel for how deals are made, how you attract buyers and how you pitch a product successfully.”
By connecting students to experiences like this, the Society of Innovators is helping the next generation not just learn about innovation but step into it.
Experiences like this are part of a larger effort to connect Northwest Indiana students to the industries and innovation ecosystems shaping the future of consumer products.
Looking Ahead
The Society of Innovators looks forward to continuing to connect students with opportunities like the Inspired Home Show in the future. The 2027 show will take place March 9 to 11, 2027, in Chicago.
Students, educators and partners interested in learning more about future participation opportunities are encouraged to explore the Inspired Home Show and stay connected as new opportunities are announced.