IHA Staff, Author at International Housewares Association

Get the Dirt on Vacuum Cleaners: New Book on Vac History Reveals What’s Been Swept Under the Rug

By Vicki Matranga, Design Programs Coordinator Brush Up on Your Understanding of Floor Cleaning Ever wonder what or who put the hum in your vacuum cleaner? The just-released book “The Vacuum Cleaner, A History” by Carroll Gantz (McFarland & Company, Inc.) answers that question and many others. Beginning with brooms, rug beaters and a look at carpet weaving…

Help us choose the 2013 Industry Breakfast Speaker!

The 2013 International Home + Housewares Show is just FIVE months away! In preparation for the 2013 Show we're asking for help in deciding who should be chosen for our annual Industry Breakfast Speaker. Would you like to see a political figure like Rahm Emanuel or Colin Powell from years past? What about an industry-specific celeb like Martha Stewart? Or maybe a business leader…

HECNA Global Forum Presented Attendees with Avenues for Increasing Exports

The 2012 HECNA Global Forum, hosted last month in Scottsdale, AZ, came to a close with one clear idea – IHA’s suppliers are keen to export and they are investigating methods to enter key markets and focusing on emerging markets. With the BRIC countries top of mind, the HECNA Global Forum presented two speakers who focused on entering the Chinese consumer market. Kristina…

Slash Your Trash: Dig into Your Waste to Find Profits

By Vicki Matranga, Design Programs Coordinator Sustainability is vital to a company’s strategic positions, performance and brand image. At the 2012 International Home + Housewares Show, we learned about many directions and issues in sustainability. We heard from industry insiders at the Innovation Theater and the Going Green display about environmentally sustainable…

gia Global Honorees: Sweden

Every year, the International Housewares Association (IHA) welcomes retailers deemed the best in their country to Chicago, where they compete on a global stage for the coveted Global Innovation Awards (gia). This year, one of the outstanding gia Global Honorees was NK Glas, Porslin & Kök of Sweden – a homewares store within the famed NK (Nordic Company) Stockholm department…

Protect Against Greenwashing: The Importance of Testing

By Vicki Matranga, Design Programs Coordinator Environmental claims: What does green really mean? Sustainability is vital to a company’s performance strategy and brand image. At the 2012 International Home + Housewares Show, we heard from industry insiders at the Innovation Theater and the Going Green display about environmentally sustainable materials, reduced use of…

HECNA Global Forum Preview: Casa Palacio Explains What It Takes To Break Into The Mexican Market

The 2012 HECNA Global Forum is coming up September 19-21 in Scottsdale, AZ. Learn about the annual meeting, which features industry-savvy specialists discussing relevant export topics and providing education on market entry, global product development and marketing strategies. This is the 2012 HECNA Global Forum Preview Series! Casa Palacio If selling to the Mexican…

PALMER HOUSE HILTON: Central Location, Exceptional Service & A Stylist Setting

Because it's never too early to book your stay for Housewares 2013... Attendees of the International Home + Housewares Show will appreciate the value adds of the Palmer House Hilton such as complimentary Wifi access in the lobby, self-service business center offering use of computer with complimentary internet access, grabbing a quick beverage at the on-site Starbucks,…