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The Interior Design Show (IDS) calls itself Canada’s largest celebration of design, and for four days in January it fills the Metro Toronto Convention Centre with furniture, lighting, kitchen and bath brands, independent designers and the people who specify their products. IDS Toronto 2027 runs January 21 to 24.
What makes IDS tricky to staff is that it is really two shows in one. The first days belong to designers and architects. The weekend belongs to the public. Your booth staff need to handle both.
Quick answer
Plan your IDS booth staff in two parts. On trade days, use fewer, more polished staff who can capture designer and architect leads and hand them to your team. On public days, add staff to handle bigger crowds, answer product questions and collect consumer leads. Brief both groups differently.
The show at a glance
| Dates | January 21 to 24, 2027 |
|---|---|
| Venue | Metro Toronto Convention Centre, North Building |
| Thursday January 21 | Trade Day, 9 am to 4 pm, followed by the IDS Party, 7 pm to 11 pm |
| Friday January 22 | Professional Trade Day, 9 am to 6 pm |
| Saturday January 23 | Trade and public, 10 am to 5 pm |
| Sunday January 24 | Public Day, 10 am to 5 pm |
Alongside the show floor, IDS runs a keynote program on the Main Stage and an accredited conference for design professionals over the trade days. Feature areas such as Studio North, Prototype, ILLUMINATE and The District bring independent designers, lighting brands and smaller decor makers to the floor.
Trade days: quality over quantity
On Thursday and Friday, your visitors are interior designers, architects, specifiers and retailers. They are busy, they move fast, and many of them are deciding which brands make it into next year’s projects.
The staff who work these days should:
- Look and sound polished. Design professionals notice everything.
- Know the basics of your product: materials, finishes, lead times and where it is available.
- Ask the right questions quickly. Is this for a current project? Residential or commercial? When does it need to be specified?
- Capture contact details and project notes, and pass serious leads to your sales team before the visitor walks away.
Two staff working alongside your own team is usually enough for a mid sized booth on trade days.
Public days: more hands, simpler message
The weekend brings homeowners, renovators and design fans. Crowds are bigger, questions are simpler, and people want to touch, sit on and photograph everything.
For Saturday and Sunday, plan for:
- One or two extra staff to manage traffic and keep your display clean and photo ready.
- A simple, friendly message about your product and where to buy it.
- A clear way to collect consumer leads, such as a draw, a QR code or a newsletter sign up.
- Someone who can still spot a designer or trade buyer in the crowd and give them full attention.
Roles to consider
Brand ambassadors. The face of your booth. They greet, explain your story and qualify visitors.
Lead capture staff. Scanning badges or taking details, with useful notes on each lead.
Product specialists. For kitchen, bath, lighting or technology brands, a specialist who can demonstrate features after a proper briefing.
Bilingual staff. Useful if your brand sells across Canada and wants to connect with visitors from Quebec.
Tips from the booth
- Brief your staff on your trade program. Designers will ask about trade pricing, samples and showrooms. Staff should know who to send them to.
- Plan the party night separately. If your team attends the IDS Party, make sure your booth is closed properly and staff know their hours.
- Dress the part. A design show audience reads your booth staff as part of your brand. Agree on a dress code that matches your display.
- Book early. January is a busy month for trade shows in Toronto. Four to six weeks ahead gets you the most experienced staff.
Hiring IDS booth staff
Buzz Promotions has a large roster of experienced brand ambassadors and trade show staff in Toronto, as well as across Canada. Typical trade show staff rates in Canada run $55 to $65 per hour, inclusive of agency fees, and our event staffing cost guide explains what changes the price.
Exhibiting at IDS Toronto 2027?
Tell us your booth size and which days you need covered, and we will send a written quote and a plan for trade days and public days.
Frequently asked questions
When is IDS Toronto 2027?
January 21 to 24, 2027, at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, North Building.
Which days are trade days at IDS Toronto?
Thursday January 21 and Friday January 22 are trade days for design professionals. The weekend is open to the public.
How many staff do I need for an IDS booth?
Most mid sized booths need two staff on trade days and three or four on public days, alongside your own team.
Do you provide booth staff for other design and home shows?
Yes. We staff trade shows and consumer shows in Toronto and every province in Canada.
Buzz Promotions is not affiliated with the Interior Design Show or its organizers. Show details are from the show’s official website as of November 2026 and may change.
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