This year attendees at the International Home + Housewares Show can stay in the loop on what is happening at the Show much easier through an expanded array of social media access. From live Twitter feeds to Facebook postings and the IHA blog, attendees can stay up-to-date on events and the newest products and trends even if they don’t stay all four Show days. And planning your Show visit before arriving in Chicago is easy with Housewares Connect 365 and the Show’s mobile app.
At the Show, attendees and exhibitors can visit Social Media Central and the Digital Commerce Solutions Pavilion to meet with experts in social media and digital commerce.
Housewares Connect 365
Before the tweets begin, attendees can plan their Show visit through Housewares Connect 365, the year-round search tool at www.housewares.org/
Each exhibitor listing includes videos, news releases, product listings, photos and catalogs, company contacts and a company “bio.” Searches can be done by keyword, company name, Show category, products/indexes, brands/licenses, U.S. state, country, new exhibitors and new products.
At the Show, attendees can access their Housewares Connect 365 briefcase at HC 365 kiosks/email stations in all three buildings and the Buyers Clubs.
2014 Show App
The Show’s mobile app, “2014ih+hs” is replicates the benefits of Housewares Connect 365 in the palm of your hand and allows users to search for exhibitors and Show information while walking the Show floor. Search for exhibitors and access a Show floor plan highlighting their locations. The app offers access to real-time social media feeds through Twitter, Facebook, the IHA blog, LinkedIn and YouTube.
The search capability includes brands and licenses, Made in the USA exhibitors and their contact information. If users add “notes” to an exhibitor’s record, they can export the text of all their notes and email them to their computers. The content and information in the app is available year-round, making it easy to follow exhibitors’ updates on new products, images and YouTube videos. The free app is available at the iTunes Store and Google Play. It works with iPhone, Android and Blackberry devices.
Follow the Show Live Through Twitter
During the Show, follow @HousewaresShow and stay tuned to the Show’s Twitter topics for all the latest updates. Posts will be shown in real time on the Twitter Wall, located in the Grand Concourse Lobby. Follow these Twitter topics for the latest news and updates:
- #IHHS2014 — Follow all the general Show posts and promotions from exhibitors, attendees and Show Organizers – before, during and after the Show.
- #ImAtTheShow — Which hall hosts kitchenware products? this tag will relay general information for attendees, vendors and exhibitors throughout the duration of the Show.
- #IHHSHappenings — Cocktail hour or the Cutlery Showcase? Follow this topic for alerts on all IHHS daily events, award ceremonies, lunches and demonstrations.
- #IHHSBoothBoost — Best of the booths! This topic highlights some of the Show’s can’t-miss exhibitor stations, featured three at a time.
- #SeenAtTheShow — Upload and tag photos of your favorite products seen on the Show floor (Remember to ask for exhibitor’s permission for any product photography).
IHA Blog
Before the Show, IHA’s blog at www.housewares.org/blog is offering previews of Show events and exhibits through interviews with exhibitors in the design-focused Discover Design category, speakers in the Innovation Theater and past winners of the IHA Innovation Awards. During the Show, read coverage of the education seminars, Innovation Theater programs and other Show activities and events you may have missed.
Social Media Central and Digital Commerce Pavilion
Located in the Grand Concourse Lobby of the North Building, Social Media Central will offer attendees and exhibitors free consultations with social media experts from SocialKaty. They will review your current social media strategies and explain how you can better reach your followers. No appointment is necessary.
As digital commerce and technology are important business topics for both product suppliers and retailers, the Show has created a pavilion to showcase third-party solutions. Adjacent to Social Media Central is the Digital Commerce Solutions Pavilion where attendees and exhibitors can meet one-on-one with third-party service providers including:
- Ovative Group — Omni-channel, digital business experts that work to optimize Customer Data & Analytics, Digital Commerce Channels and Marketing Services/Monetization of customer touch points.
- ePower Marketing — An online marketing firm that attracts and engages their clients’ customers to convert them into sales. Services include Search Engine Optimization, Online Advertising, Web Analytics, Blog Marketing and Social Media Marketing.
- ibotta — A technology company offering tools to empower consumers and simplify their daily lives, reimagining the way consumers learn about and interact with their favorite brands. The result is a mobile experience that replaces couponing with fun game-like interactions giving consumers what they actually want: offers redeemable in all major retailers, and real cash rewards instead of credit or points.
To access all of the Show’s social media programs, go to http://www.housewares.org/
