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his year saw a growing focus on smart and connected products with the
IHA Smart Home Pavilion expanded to 28 new and current exhibitors
displaying emerging technologies and the latest in smart and connected
products, along with the addition of the Smart Talks stage and the Smart Bar,
where attendees could relax and network with colleagues. The Smart Talks stage
featured 30-minute sessions led by established experts who discussed food
trends, data security for businesses and consumers, and tracking capabilities of
product packaging. Other sessions included innovators offering new retail models
for reaching consumers, and strategies for developing and managing data-driven
connected products and their services. The sessions were live-streamed on IHA's
website and can be viewed here: www.housewares.org/show/smart-talks.
"All in all, the 121th International Home + Housewares Show was a successful
marketplace for the industry," he said.
The inaugural Trending Today Preview joined the New Exhibitor Preview on
Saturday morning to give buyers and media an opportunity to see 150 exhibitors
before the Show floor opened at 10 a.m. The events attracted nearly 700 buyer
and media attendees, increasing attendance over last year. Trending Today
spotlighted "A Marketplace for Hydration" and hosted 60 new and current
exhibitors of hydration and hydration-related products. The New Exhibitor Preview
featured 90+ first-time exhibitors.
"Response from the buyers is very positive about both pre-Show events, and
we anticipate attendance to continue growing as more buyers want to begin their
day earlier," Brandl said.
Media attendance included a significant increase in high-quality bloggers and
social media influencers. Show coverage included an in-studio segment on
NBC's Today Show, internet media articles, home-focused YouTube channels
and influencers, and live remotes by Chicago TV stations and QVC. Other major
media attendees included America's Test Kitchen, Better Homes and Gardens,
BRIDES, CBS' The Talk, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, CNET,
Consumer Reports, Fine Cooking, HGTV Magazine, Good Housekeeping,
Hearst Design Group, Hearst Lifestyle Group, The Kitchn.com, Mergermarket,
O—The Oprah Magazine, Rachael Ray Every Day, Taste of Home, Techlicious,
Traditional Home, USA Today/Reviewed.com and Xinhua News Agency. The
Show will generate in excess of 375 million consumer impressions through
broadcast, print and Internet coverage and social media communication.
The Show also included a series of thought-provoking educational sessions,
including keynote programs on color and design trends by Lee Eiseman of the
Pantone Color Institute; a panel of thought leaders discussing the smart kitchen;
exploration of the retail renaissance by Tom Mirabile of Lifetime Brands; and
a retail panel examining innovation and marketing with consumer needs led
by Maureen Azzato and Allison Zisko of HFN. In addition, the Innovation Theater
offered 21 presentations on the smart home and connected products; age
and gender marketing; and international retail and consumer lifestyle trends.
Audio and video recordings of the educational sessions are available at
www.housewares.org/education/presentations-webinars.
The 2019 International Home + Housewares Show will be held March 2-5 at
McCormick Place, Chicago USA. 2019 attendee registration and additional
Show information are available at www.housewares.org.
2018 INTERNATIONAL HOME + HOUSE WARE S SHOW
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