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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.

Housewares Export Council Becomes International Business Council

The HECNA Board has approved a rebranding of the Housewares Export Council to the IHA International Business Council (IBC). This will be officially announced just after the 2014 International Home + Housewares Show. In addition, the IHA Board has approved an elimination of dues for IBC beginning with the new membership year that will begin April 1, 2014. The elimination of…

The Internet of Things at Your Door: Seminar Explores How Close is the Connected Home

As the Internet of Things becomes more tangible for consumers and more and more household products become “smart” what does that mean for the housewares industry? A panel of manufacturers, consumer editors and technology experts will explore what the future of the connected home looks like as it moves beyond the early adopter stage during a seminar on Sunday morning, March…

International Home + Housewares Show Social Media and Digital Commerce Opportunities

The Show is just around the corner, and IHA has orchestrated some wonderful consulting opportunities that are open to all attendees. Social Media Central/Digital Commerce Solutions Pavilion (Located in the Grand Concourse Lobby) Social Media Central offers free consultations with the experts from SocialKaty (www.socialkaty.com). Meet with SocialKaty to discuss your current…

Product Design – The Thrill of Owning an Original

As a store owner, it is a joy to see more people seeking out original product design. They want to know more about a product’s designer and where the product was made. Customers now want the story of the product’s origin and want products of higher value, not necessarily at a higher price. This new trend includes scrutinizing a product’s originality, material, manufacturing…

Innovation Insights: An Interview with Ken Harris, Fred Sparks Design

By Vicki Matranga, Design Programs Coordinator Learn how to develop and launch the right products for the right customer—with the right methods! The four days of the 2014 International Home + Housewares Show will be packed with events as well as educational sessions. In these final weeks before the Show, we preview presentations that will take place in the Innovation Theater…

Design Debut: Discovering the Newest Companies Meet Materious

“What’s New?” is the big question at each International Home + Housewares Show. Retailers, media and exhibitors hunt for the latest products, trends and ideas. In 2014, the Show offers an exclusive, one-time opportunity to a select group of young companies whose products demonstrate high design and innovation. These budding entrepreneurs appear in Design Debut, a unique…

Celeb Chefs Headline Cooking Theater Line-up at 2014 International Home + Housewares Show

Grant Achatz, Rick Bayless, Chris Cosentino, Curtis Stone, Buddy Valastro, Fabio Viviani Among Celeb Chefs Celebrity chefs including Top Chef Masters host Curtis Stone and Cake Boss Buddy Valastro will top the line-up of stars appearing in the Cooking Theater at the 2014 International Home + Housewares Show, March 15-18 at Chicago’s McCormick Place. The Cooking Theater is the…

Innovation Insights: An Interview with Jon Lindholm, Steve Cozzolino and Samantha Rose

By Vicki Matranga, Design Programs + Services Learn how to develop and launch the right products for the right customer—with the right methods! The four days of the 2014 International Home + Housewares Show will be packed with events as well as educational sessions. In these final weeks before the Show, we preview presentations that will take place in the Innovation…

Innovation Insights: An Interview with Jessica Blue, Advanstar Licensing, Steven Ekstract, License! Global Magazine and Lia Buffa, Food Network

By Vicki Matranga, Design Programs Coordinator Learn how to develop and launch the right products for the right customer—with the right methods! At the 2014 International Home + Housewares Show, the Innovation Theater in the Lakeside Center will present 20 educational programs, beginning Saturday morning and running through Tuesday morning. In these final weeks before the…