Connect FALL, an International Housewares Association (IHA) virtual event, is set for October 11 to 13, 2022 with exclusive, in-depth content designed to bring the housewares industry together around critical industry education.

Session topics include opportunities in inflationary times, consumer lifestyle trends, an update on PFAS chemicals regulations and housewares, trends influencing housewares, food, cooking and culture, a preview of the second annual IHA Occasions Report, examining the renewal of key life moment celebrations and how the housewares industry can benefit. The Global Innovation Awards (gia) Top Window Award will also be announced.

“As the International Housewares Association re-commits to providing valuable in-person industry education at such events as The Inspired Home Show and recently concluded CHESS and Global Forum conferences, the IHA Connect platform continues to serve the growing demand for convenient, virtual content programs at other key planning times throughout the year,” IHA vice president of marketing, Leana Salamah said.

“This year’s Connect FALL conference will deliver exclusive insights on shifting lifestyle trends and critical business developments to help guide home + housewares decision makers as they navigate toward 2023 and beyond.”

Connect FALL will open with a session on ‘Opportunities in inflationary times’. NPD Group vice president and home industry advisor, Joe Derochowski will provide his perspective on where consumers are likely to spend over the next year and how suppliers can be ready to meet their needs.

Derochowski will spend the first half of the session presenting, leaving the second half open for a town hall-type interaction. Attendees can submit questions that focus on consumer trends and forecasted home industry category performance.

Other education sessions include:

  • Never Say Normal: Navigating Change and Enabling Growth in the Modern Marketplace – Springboard Futures principal and IHA consumer trend forecaster, Tom Mirabile will explore some of the trends that will drive products and purchase through 2023. This dynamic environment presents many opportunities for innovation and growth. Seizing these advantages requires a clear understanding of shifting consumer lifestyles, aspirations and pain points, while staying anchored to those fundamental needs that are the bedrock of all consumer demand. 
  • PFAS Chemicals and Housewares: Answering the Critical Questions – IHA and the Cookware & Bakeware Alliance (CBA) continue their partnership to inform the housewares industry about legislation regulating products made with PFAS chemicals. Panelists will answer the many questions being asked by industry decision makers about how to prepare for looming PFAS regulation. Panelists include CBA managing director, Fran Groesbeck, Kuhn Rikon CEO and president of European Association for Cookware, Cutlery and Flatware (FEC), Tobias Gerfin, and Energy, Environment and Infrastructure Practice Group partner, Thomas Lee. Moderated by HomePage News editor-in-chief, Peter Giannetti.
  • Growth at the Intersection of Food, Housewares and Lifestyle Trends – Consumer lifestyles and food culture are interacting in new and different ways. Project Partners Network principal, Leigh Ann Schwarzkopf and Trend House founding partner, Nicki Gondell, look at key lifestyle and design trends influencing home and housewares, food and flavour, cooking and culture for 2023 and into 2024.
  • Enhance Your Visual Toolbox – gia Top Window Awards – Join gia expert juror, Anne Kong as she explores both simple and complex techniques that speak visually to consumers. She will look at the power of great visual merchandising design as a language that can invite and promote sales. Part of the presentation will be the announcement of the gia Top Window Global Honorees of 2022. The gia Top Window competition recognises and celebrates the best and most innovative window displays in the home and housewares industry worldwide.
  • IHA Occasions Survey 2023: Housewares Joins The Celebration – Leana Salamah of IHA and Peter Giannetti of HomePage News will preview results of the second annual IHA Occasions Survey examining the renewal of key life moment celebrations and how the home and housewares business can join the party.

Image: gia expert juror, Anne Kong.