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!

2016 CHESS: The Future of Omnichannel Fulfillment

Rick Blasgen is responsible for the overall business operations and strategic planning for CSCMP, an organization whose mission is to deliver leading-edge education and research for the supply chain management profession. He was recently designated Chair of the Advisory Committee on Supply Chain Competitiveness by the U.S. Department of Commerce. Blasgen is a member of…

2016 CHESS: Getting Better with Age

After a witty comical video about millennials, Maureen Azzato, chief brand officer and editor of HFN, addressed the differences between millennials, Boomers and Gen Xers for creators of new products for these groups. She pointed to demographic trends that marketers should focus on for the growth of consumers over the age of 50. Boomers have the greatest disposable income and…

2016 CHESS: Protecting Your Company in China

Attorney Scott Sanders addressed sensitive concerns faced by many CHESS attendees whose companies manufacture products in China. Housewares makers often painfully discover that their intellectual property and supply chain is at risk when working with Chinese factories. Business there has changed dramatically in the past decade and contracts have become critical. Sanders posed…

CHESS 2016: The Evolution of Retail & Industry Impact

The first day’s program set the stage with a panel of housewares executives discussing issues in managing their businesses, followed by two experts who presented CHESS attendees with big picture overviews of the U.S. political scene and global political/economic risks. Day Two offered deep dives into the competitive retail landscape, the complexities of IP protection in China,…

CHESS 2016 Highlights – Keynote Day 1: Where Is Our Country Headed?

Vicki Matranga, Design Programs Coordinator In this tumultuous election year, many people in the U.S. and abroad and asking that very same question. Political analyst and commentator Charlie Cook provided some answers to the CHESS audience. He also offered his perspective on the national political scene, for the coming month is sure to bring surprises and upsets with changes…

2016 CHESS: Global, Economic and Political Outlook

After lunch and information about the services offered by CHESS sponsor companies, Bernard Baumohl presented a thought-provoking analysis of current domestic and international economic and political conditions. Baumohl, chief global economist at The Economic Outlook Group, based in Princeton, NJ, specializes in economic analysis, forecasting and geopolitical risk assessment.…

2016 CHESS: Housewares Executives Gather in Chicago

Navigating Transitional Times… Through Political, Economic and Cultural Shifts Chief housewares executives eager to hear the latest from the front lines of the industry learned from experts who addressed IHA’s 2016 CHESS conference on October 6 and 7. The two-day conference, held at the Westin O’Hare hotel, attracts top executives at IHA-member companies who look forward to…

Experts To Offer Insight on Navigating Transitional Times

The upcoming presidential election, a changing retail environment, aging consumers and global economic distress are presenting challenging times for the housewares industry. Experts in politics, retail, economics, marketing and supply chain logistics will offer insight into these issues as they explore “Navigating Transitional Times…Through Political, Economic and Cultural…

The Future of Omni-Channel Fulfillment

Today’s consumers shop at home 24/7 to compare products before purchase and they visit brick-and-mortar stores with specific goals in mind. They fill their shopping carts by clicking screens while on the go and by choosing items as they stroll through physical stores. At IHA’s 2016 CHESS conference, October 6-7, in Rosemont, Ill., housewares industry executives will learn…