In 1928 The National House Furnishing Manufacturers Association (NHFMA) organized the “First Annual Chicago House Furnishings Exhibit” held at Chicago’s Stevens Hotel. However, conflicts within the organization lead some manufacturers to incorporate a new organization, IHA’s predecessor, the House Furnishing Manufacturers Association of America (HFMAA). Both organizations merge in 1940 to form the Housewares Manufacturers Association (HMA) and in 1941 the first show was held at Chicago’s Palmer House Hotel. The new organization merges with The New York Housewares Manufacturers Association (NYHMA) in 1946 becoming the National Housewares Manufacturers Association (NHMA), and holds the “First Annual Chicago House Furnishing Exhibit” at The Stevens Hotel (later renamed the Conrad Hilton.) Between 1948 and 1960 shows are held in the Mid-West and the East Coast, with the January Show in Chicago and the July show in Atlantic City, NJ. 1961 through 1991 both shows are held in Chicago. The show’s name is changed to the International Housewares Show in 1992, with an annual show in Chicago.

The Housewares Design Awards program began in 2003, awarding innovative designs by Show exhibitors.