CHESS Conference

Attend the annual CHESS conference to network with senior housewares executives and to learn from dynamic professionals presenting on topics relevant to the growth of the housewares industry.

CHESS 2017 Recap: The Tax & Budget World Under Trump

With more than three decades of experience in Washington—as high-level Congressional staff and advisor, attorney, and as a consultant to corporations and associations on legislative and tax policy issues, Kenneth J. Kies, Managing Director, The Federal Policy Group, offered his insights on the current political environment. Speaking just ahead of the lunch break, Kies presented…

CHESS 2017 Recap: The Evolution of E-Commerce

How to Win in E-Commerce: Key Considerations for Manufacturers as Consumers Shift Spending Online... Niraj Shah CEO, Co-Chairman and co-founder, Wayfair... Niraj Shah addressed trends in e-commerce, Wayfair’s history and online opportunities for housewares products. He explained some pain points in ecommerce and outlined Wayfair’s solutions. Spending has moved online…

CHESS 2017 Recap: Disruption in Retail

CHESS favorites Dana Telsey, CEO and Chief Research Officer, Telsey Advisory Group, and Joe Feldman, Senior Managing Director and Assistant Director of Research, Telsey Advisory Group, presented their annual analysis of the current retail landscape. Founded in 2006, the Telsey Advisory Group (TAG) a leading equity research, sales and trading, consulting, and investment banking…

CHESS 2017 Recap: Generational Family Feud

Moderators: Warren Shoulberg, Publisher/Editorial Director, Home & Textiles Today, Editorial Director, HFN and Gifts & Decorative Accessories... Maureen Azzato, Publisher/Editorial Director, HFN... Taking a cue from a popular TV show, Warren Shoulberg and Maureen Azzato created a fun and interactive presentation to highlight some differences and similarities…

CHESS 2017 Recap: Influencer Marketing

What is an “Influencer”? And how can your brand benefit from influencing them? Melissa Maker and Chad Reynolds, the creators of Clean My Space, and Gemma Stafford and Kevin Kurtz, the creators of Bigger Bolder Baking, outlined for CHESS attendees how social media celebrities can assist housewares marketers in reaching key audiences to help build their brands. Melissa Maker…

CHESS 2017 Recap: The Future is So Bright

Marshal Cohen, Chief Industry Analyst for the NPD Group, addressed current events in business and how the consumer has changed dramatically. We’ve allowed our businesses to become stagnant and boring, and the housewares categories must learn how to drive their exciting products out into the market. If the Apple phone is the most exciting product in the marketplace, we have a…

CHESS 2017 Recap: Housewares Hot Seat

CHESS 2017 opened with the annual favorite conversation-starter—the Housewares Hot Seat panel, moderated by Peter Giannetti, Editor-in-Chief, HomeWorld Business. Changing Channels, the sixth in the series of Hot Seat panel discussions, joined panelists Bruce Kaminstein, Executive Chairman, Casabella Holdings LLC; Michael Stoll, President, UT Brands, and Neal Asbury, CEO, Legacy…

Future Shift and Transformation: 2017-2037

Futurist David Houle Looks at the Big Picture: Prepare for Massive Changes Day two of the CHESS conference will begin with David Houle outlining his views on global trends that are transforming us. Houle, known as the “CEO’s futurist,” expands beyond the insights about brand shift he shared at the 2015 CHESS and challenges us to consider the dynamics and forces that impact…

Housewares Hot Seat Panel: Changing Channels

The housewares industry faces mounting channel management challenges because of e-commerce disruption. While off-price stores are thriving, for example, department stores are under stress as consumers abandon traditional shopping patterns. This panel of housewares leaders will reveal how they are re-aligning channel strategies to maximize growth opportunities today while…