The International Housewares Association (IHA) is preparing the 2026 edition of the Chief Housewares Executive SuperSession (CHESS), an annual event focused on executive education and relationship-building among leaders in the housewares industry. With the theme “Refortifying the Value of the Human Touch,” the event will take place September 29-30 at the Rosemont Hilton, near Chicago’s O’Hare Airport.
The program will focus on the relationship between artificial intelligence and human experience in business, with education sessions, networking opportunities and a new series of hands-on AI leadership labs.
“CHESS 2026 will offer a unique setting for housewares leaders to come together and explore how to combine breakthrough technology and organic innovation to lead their companies into a new phase of sustainable growth,” said Derek Miller, IHA president & CEO. “Attendees will also be able to take advantage of peer-to-peer networking and insights from subject matter experts on a variety of other critical industry topics.”
Target Executive to Lead Keynote Session
Among the highlights of the program is the participation of Mara Sirhal, Target’s SVP, Merchandising, Home, who will deliver the event’s keynote address.
Sirhal will provide an inside look at the retailer’s strategy to drive growth and strengthen its position as a design-, style- and trend-forward mass merchant offering unique products at affordable prices. The presentation will also address the significant role home products play in this strategy.
Sirhal joined Target in November 2025, bringing more than 20 years of experience in merchandising, brand development and sourcing across department and specialty retail. She previously held senior leadership positions at QVC & HSN U.S., Saks Off 5th, Bed Bath & Beyond and Macy’s.
AI Leadership Labs Join the Program
One of the new features of CHESS 2026 will be a series of leadership labs focused on the practical application of artificial intelligence in business. The program includes four sessions:
How Top Housewares Executives Are Applying AI Across Amazon, TikTok and ChatGPT — John LeBaron, CRO at Pattern, will lead an interactive workshop on tools that generate insights, scalable automation and competitive intelligence to drive growth across ecommerce marketplaces, social commerce and agentic platforms.
Applying an AI Layer for Optimum Operations — Rohan Shah and Anand Prabhu, co-founders of Conduit AI, will use on-the-spot surveys to identify attendees’ needs and demonstrate how AI can support workflows, team performance, sales and business results.
The New Front Door to Product Discovery — David Rapps, founder and CEO of Wholescale, will sit down with a retail marketplace executive to discuss the relationship between product reviews and AI systems that use this information as part of their recommendations to consumers.
Housewares Hot Seat: Case Studies in AI — The traditional CHESS panel will bring together industry professionals to discuss their experiences using artificial intelligence, including initiatives that worked as well as those that faced challenges during implementation.
Retail, Consumer Behavior and Economic Outlook
In addition to artificial intelligence, CHESS 2026 will feature sessions on the creator economy, changes in consumer behavior and purchasing habits, the retail landscape, tariffs, legislative issues and transportation.
During “The Future of Retail: How AI and Creators Are Reshaping Influence, Authority & Commerce,” Abbey Fish, founder and CEO of Tastemaker, and Chandice Probst, COO of the company, will discuss the growth of the creator economy and the role these professionals play in influencing consumers and commerce.
Joe Derochowski, vice president and home industry advisor at Circana, will present the latest data on housewares retail sales and trends, as well as the impact of inflation on spending, pricing and promotions and changes in purchasing behavior.
Dennis Cantalupo, CEO of Pulse Ratings, will lead Retail Pulse & Outlook, providing an update on the retail landscape and the financial health of major retailers.
The program will also include an IHA update on legislative issues and tariffs, featuring Rafe Morrissey from the association’s Washington, D.C. office and trade attorney David Forgue, partner at Barnes, Richardson & Colburn, LLP.
Changes in transportation and the supply chain will also be addressed. Craig Akers, executive director of the International Housewares Shippers Association, will discuss the current and potential long-term impacts of geopolitical shifts, trade policies, economic fluctuations and ongoing supply-chain adjustments.
