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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.

Looking Ahead To 2012

By: Phil Brandl As we look ahead to 2012, the International Housewares Association would like to wish everyone a very prosperous New Year! The biggest news from IHA for 2012 has to be the inclusion of a fourth day to the annual International Home + Housewares Show for this year's event, now slated for March 10-13. The 2012 Show will open this year on Saturday at 12:30…

Knowing Innovation: Richard Babick

By Vicki Matranga, Design Programs Coordinator 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, every hour beginning Saturday afternoon and ending Tuesday afternoon. The Theater, which was located in the Level 3 Lobby, moves to Room E350…

Inside Discover Design: Might Bright LUX Lighting

By Marie Kulik, Exhibitor Business Development Manager The latest installment on Inside Discover Design features Michelle Haas from Might Bright with the Brand LUX Lighting. Michelle discusses how LUX has merged design and function into lighting for the home and what impact LEDs will have on the future of the lighting industry. Marie: What is the inspiration behind the…

Knowing Innovation: Howard Lim

Housewares History: Holiday Histories!

By Vicki Matranga, Design Programs Coordinator Ah, December….The biggest shopping month of the year. The race begins with a stampede on a Friday, the day after Thanksgiving known as Black Friday, as shoppers are surrounded by twinkling colorful lights and the jingling sound tracks that echo in our heads as we dash between parking lots. Did you know that retailers have…

Introducing the IHA Innovation Awards!

By Connie Chantos, Attendee & Exhibitor Services For the first-time, Show exhibitors’ latest creations and cutting-edge innovations will receive award recognition with the first annual IHA Innovation Awards. The finalists will be spotlighted in the New Product Showcases, located in the Buyers Club in each Show building. A panel of expert judges, including seasoned…

Inside Discover Design: Ocean Glass

By Marie Kulik, Exhibitor Business Development Manager Nat-anong Moenkanoeng of Ocean Glass, and their brand Lucaris, was our guest this week to be interviewed about IHA's Discover Design and the industry trend-shift towards high design and fashion in home goods products. Nat-anong helps us to understand where crystal and glassware stand when it comes to design, and how it…

ELYSIAN HOTEL CHICAGO: Becoming Waldorf Astoria Chicago before the 2012 International Home + Housewares Show!

By: Sharon Janota, Manager, Trade Show Operations The Elysian Hotel Chicago was recently attained in a collaborative endeavor between Hilton Worldwide (the parent company of Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts), an Equity Group Investments affiliate and the Elysian principals. Under the new ownership, the Elysian Hotel Chicago will officially become the Waldorf Astoria…

Housewares History: Whitmor

By Vicki Matranga, Design Programs Coordinator Organizing Homes, Organizing a Business Today’s homes need many products to keep track of shoes, clothes, and toys. While shopping for storage supplies, you were probably thinking about how to squeeze your stuff into a space that could use a few more inches of shelving. The organizing business keeps on growing, as we pack our…