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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.

Floral Exhibits & IHA: The Ultimate Tradeshow Partnership

Originated in 1942, Floral Exhibits has been the leading plant and floral tradeshow provider throughout the United States and has worked in all of the major convention centers nationwide. Floral Exhibits has been the plantscape provider for the International Housewares Association (IHA) since 2003, adding that special touch, not only to the show floor and lounge areas, but also…

Armaly Brands: From the Bahamas to Brillo

By Vicki Matranga, Design Programs Coordinator More than 100 Years of Innovations in Cleaning In the early 1900s, W.J. Armaly found opportunity in locally available resources. Living in the Bahamas, he began harvesting and processing natural ocean sponges and shipping them around the world. Two generations of family management and more than 100 years later, Armaly Brands…

Discover Design: Back for more in 2012!

By Wes French, Social Media Coordinator Discover Design Shines in '11; Eyes Growth & Expansion in '12 Discover Design is enjoying a great amount of praise received after it's successful debut at the 2011 International Home + Housewares Show. The brand new exhibit showcased high design focused companies housed within it's own exhibit on the Show floor, including…

IHA Student Design Competition Returns!

By Vicki Matranga, Design Programs Coordinator It’s Back to School Time Again...And the kick-off for the 19th annual IHA student design talent search! Innovation propels our industry. At each International Home + Housewares Show, retailers and news media ask “What’s New?” and year after year, attendees come to the Lakeside Center lobby to see fresh ideas and meet the…

IHA Announces Three New Board Members

By Debbie Teschke, Media Relations & Communications Manager Four new directors have been elected to the board of directors of the International Housewares Association. The new directors are Gregory C. Cairo, president, Groupe SEB USA; Anthony E. Kircher, president, Winix, Inc.; Erik Reid, general manager, Kyocera Advanced Ceramics; and David Sabin, president, Kids Line.…

2011 CHESS Final Update!

By Judy Colitz, Special Events & Executive Services Manager TOP 10 REASONS to Say YES to CHESS in 2011… 1. Powerful and Relevant Keynotes—Kip Tindell, The Container Store…ORGANIZATION WITH HEART; Peter Sims, Best-Selling Author…LITTLE BETS—Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Creativity & Design 2. Hot Industry Topics—Global Market Overview…Social Media: Myth or…

tag Marks 35th Anniversary of Design Success

By Vicki Matranga, Design Programs Coordinator In 1976, a young NYU graduate with a degree in biochemistry met two French women who manufactured candles in Bordeaux. At the time, Norman Glassberg (pictured on the right) had already hung up his lab coat for good and was searching for a new business opportunity. Previously he had been one of the partners of a group that…

HECNA Global Forum sneaking up quickly

By Lori Szudarek, International Services Manager Q: How can I increase my home + housewares exports? A: Attend the HECNA Global Forum – September 18 – 22! Working with many of our IHA member companies, the International Department often receives this question…or a more specific version of the same question, with the goal of expanding into a specific global…