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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.

2011/12 gia Award Winners!

Since its inception in 1999, gia has grown in stature to become the leading global award for home and housewares retailers in more than 20 countries on five continents. The primary sponsors of the gia award program are the International Housewares Association and the International Home + Housewares Show. Annually, over 20 global home and housewares retailers are recognized…

Knowing Innovation: Warren Tuttle

By Vicki Matranga Previewing the speakers at the 2012 IHA Innovation Theater At the International Home + Housewares Show in March, the Innovation Theater in the Lakeside Center (formerly called the Housewares Design Theater) will present 20 educational programs beginning Saturday afternoon and ending Tuesday afternoon. The Theater, which was located in the Level 3 Lobby, moves…

Housewares History: Dishpan Hands No More – Kitchen Sink Tales

Can you guess what this is? How was this item used every day? Chain mail for personal protection or something in a kitchen? It’s a pot scrubber! Back in the “good old days” when cast-iron cookware heated on a wood-fueled cook stove, burnt-on crusts were scoured with such a “dishcloth” made of iron loops. Tough on the hands, such scrubbers were used with salt, sand, lemon…

Webinar: Trends in Cookware & Bakeware

“What’s Cooking…trends and techniques in cookware and bakeware" When: Wednesday, October 26 at 1 p.m. (CDT), one week from today. Free Webinar for IHA Members and Specialty Retailers Presented by IHA's Gourmet Home Specialty Retailer University Point, click and join IHA for this free webinar with Hugh Rushing, leader in the cookware industry. He has served as executive vice…

The Metal Ware Company: Generations of Innovation

By Vicki Matranga, Design Programs Coordinator Where did key items in the history of kitchen products originate? Look to the rolling landscape of Wisconsin for many chapters of this continuing story. The Metal Ware Company celebrated several anniversaries recently. In 2010, the company marked the 90th year of its founding in Two Rivers, Wis. In 2011, it noted the 30th…

Register Now! Get Early Bird Rates on Hotels & Airfare

By Wes French, Social Media Coordinator Reserve your badges, housing and travel now to get special discounts for your extra day at the 2012 Show! It's never too early to register for your badges and trip to the International Home + Housewares Show 2012 and we've even got an early bird special for you! Sign up for your Hotel, Airfare and/or Car Rental before January 1,…

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…