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IHA’s blog features informative posts written to keep the housewares industry educated and informed about key strategic issues and IHA member services.

IHA Trade Mission – South Africa

In late September IHA sponsored a trade mission to South Africa. The goal of each IHA-sponsored Trade Mission is to offer members involved in or wishing to grow their business in specific markets an opportunity to get a firm grip on the dynamics of that market and to meet the key retailers and distributors who are leaders in that market. The South Africa Trade Mission included…

2015 International Home + Housewares Show Almost Sold Out

With less than five months to go before opening day, the 2015 International Home + Housewares Show is over 90 percent sold out, according to the International Housewares Association, the Show’s owner and operator. The Show begins at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 7 and closes at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, March 10. A Power Hour from 5:30-6:30 p.m. on Saturday through Mondayoffers…

New Online Resource “Inspired Home” Launches To Generate Housewares Excitement

Compelling Articles, Videos, DIY Tips, Home Ideas and More Found at IHAInspiredHome.org As savvy consumers increasingly turn to the web to select kitchen utensils, organization tools, cookware pieces, home décor and more to “make their house a home,” a new online resource launches to deliver fresh content on emerging home trends and housewares…

2014 CHESS Conference Highlights: Ken Harris

Day Two: Session Four The New Retail Landscape: Reaching the Omni-Channel Shopper Ken Harris, Managing Partner, Cadent Consulting Group As manufacturers and conventional retailers turn their attention and resources toward digital commerce, a critical question needs to be asked: What is the best path for your company if 95-99% of your business is through conventional…

2014 CHESS Conference Highlights: Linda Graebner, Katie Fitzgerald, Ted Koenig, Bruce Lubin, and Jon Lucas

Day Two: Session Three So You Don’t Want to Sell Your Business...How Do You Get the Capital to Grow It? Moderated by Linda Graebner, Executive Chairman, Chef’n Corporation Panelists: Katie Fitzgerald, CircleUp Network, Inc.; Ted Koenig, Monroe Capital LLC; Bruce Lubin, The Private Bank and Jon Lucas, President, CIT Last year’s panel suggested “Everyone Should Sell Their…

2014 CHESS Conference Highlights: Katy Lynch, Oren Katzeff, and Kathleen Henson

Day Two: Session Two SOCIAL MEDIA: Influencing the Consumer Path to Purchase Katy Lynch, SocialKaty/Manifest Digital Engaging the Consumer through Social Media Marketing You’ve heard the term “social media marketing” a million times. Your business probably already uses Twitter and Facebook. But how do you really use these sites, as well as other outlets, to their…

2014 CHESS Conference Highlights: Eric Greitens

Day Two: Session One Inspired Leadership Through Challenging Times Eric Greitens Day Two of the 2014 CHESS conference opened with the keynote address by Eric Greitens, a former Navy SEAL, founder of The Mission Continues and an award-winning author of The Heart and the Fist. Named to TIME magazine’s 2013 list of the “100 Most Influential People in the World” and Fortune’s…

2014 CHESS Conference Highlights: Helaine Suval

Day One: Session Four The Secret Sauce of Modern Retail: It’s Physical WITH Digital Helaine Suval, President, Suval Consultants; Board of Directors, Lenox; Former EVP/GMM, Macys.com What draws you into a store? If there’s a sense of excitement and entertainment and electricity, you want to be there! Did you know that 90% of all retail sales are still transacted in stores,…

2014 CHESS Conference Highlights: Walter Herbst, Paul Rowan, and Joanne Domeniconi

Day One: Session Three Design/Innovation: Leveraging the Maker Movement We are in a period of rapid transformation fueled by technology. Technology platforms are shaping the way ideas become designs, designs become prototypes, prototypes become products, projects get funded, projects become businesses and the way that businesses find customers. The Designer’s…