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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.

CHESS 2011 looks to build on Success of 2010

By Judy Colitz, IHA Events Coordinator CHESS 2010 provided housewares industry chief officers a chance to learn about the uncertain economic outlook last fall and business practices for sorting the winners from the losers in the new economic order. CHESS—the strategic and networking event of the year—included a wide range of topics from the new reality of global…

Blog on Blogs: Covering Clean + Contain

By Wes French, Coordinator of Social Media This year the International Home + Housewares Show saw a major increase in online media attendance at the Show. The way people get their news is shifting to sites like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, more and more, and we're happy to open our doors to bloggers and traditional media alike! Here are some of the best to cover the Clean…

Inside Discover Design: Kahla/Barbara Schmidt

By Marie Kulik, Manager of Exhibitor Business Development This week Marie caught up with Barbara Schmidt, designer for the KAHLA line of porcelain dinnerware. Marie: What is the inspiration behind the design and functionality of your products? BS: I want to translate the material porcelain with its long history of use and design into the present. Human habits are as…

Housewares 2011: A visual experience

By Wes French, Social Media Coordinator Miss the 2011 Housewares Show? Catch up with all our videos and pics from YouTube and Facebook! Check out all the videos from this past Show and other events from past years including old shows and press events on our YouTube page! See photos from the 2011 Show floor as well as some of the great events that took place in Chicago this…

HECNA Global Forum: Looking back at 2010 and ahead to 2011

By Lori Szudarek, Manager of International Services The 2010 HECNA Global Forum brought together members of the international business community in Miami, chock-full of opportunities geared towards helping attendees increase exports, international business development and networking with housewares buyers and industry professionals. Attendees to the 2010 Global Forum…

Housewares History: Seasonal Foods/Local Foods

By Vicki Matranga, Design Programs Coordinator It’s the season for farmers markets and gardening! Even in the chilly Midwest, backyard gardeners are tending their vegetable plants. But how to savor the bountiful harvests ahead? Unless camping or dealing with a power outage, rarely do we think about how people preserved food before refrigerators and freezers. Especially…

Inside Discover Design: ALEX Bottles

By Marie Kulik, Manager of Exhibitor Business Development This week Marie caught up with Chris Hotell of ALEX Bottles to discuss sustainability and how it works in the world of housewares and high design. Marie: What is the inspiration behind the design and functionality of your products? CH: Reusable water bottles are an amazing and necessary alternative to the toxic single…

One More Day! 2012 Housewares Show to open Saturday

By Wes French, Social Media Coordinator IHA is proud to announce that the annual International Home + Housewares Show will begin a day earlier in 2012, with the Show floor opening at 12:30 pm Saturday, March 10. On April 20th, IHA's Board of Directors voted unanimously to extend the 2012 Show to four days. This decision has been discussed over the last five years with many…

Home and Housewares Industry Education, Straight from the Show Floor!

By Wes French, Coordinator of Social Media The International Home + Housewares Show is a not only a show for buyers and exhibitors to place orders and show items, but also a place to learn about the future and direction of the home and housewares industry. The Housewares Design Theater and Education Sessions offer attendees the chance to listen and learn from peers as well…