Executive Networking

Learn from IHA’s annual CHESS conference, which provides insight and education from political, business and industry experts on a variety of topics to help members build their business!

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…

The Future is So Bright

The housewares industry is on the cusp of a 5-to-10-year window of growth it hasn’t seen since the 1970s. Changes in demographics and eating habits are driving key trends in housewares today and for the future. Learn how these life-stage demographic changes will positively impact key life moments for housewares and how you can market and innovate during this growth window.…

Generational Family Feud

How much do you really know about the purchasing habits and buying patterns of the two most important consumer groups? A team of Millennials will be pitted against a team of Baby Boomers in a live game designed to see how they answer questions that CHESS attendees will have already answered. 1:30 pm Tuesday, October 3, 2017 Presenters: Warren…

Influencer Marketing: Word of Mouth Marketing Begins with Trust

Earning trust is more difficult than ever given the number of brands and media competing for your customers’ attention. Traditionally, brands have relied on expensive marketing campaigns involving TV and print elements, but with the development of the internet, new marketing opportunities have emerged. Customers are increasingly relying on peer reviews and recommendations…

The Evolution of E-Commerce – Key Considerations for Manufacturers as Consumers Shift Spending Online

The ecommerce landscape continues to evolve as consumers redefine their shopping habits from strictly brick & mortar to ecommerce or some combination of both. Hear the exciting story of Wayfair and how Niraj Shah and Steve Conine rapidly grew the business to become the largest online retailer of home goods (furnishings, housewares and home improvement) in the United…