Registrations are open for the International Housewares Association’s (IHA) Connect FALL virtual event being held from 27 September to 1 October 2021 with exclusive and in-depth content designed to bring the housewares industry together around education, inspiration and product discovery.
Each day of Connect FALL will offer a combination of education sessions and virtual product demonstrations. Session topics include style and design trends, independent retailing post-pandemic, shifting consumer trends, a new report on consumer spending for special occasions, branding for retailers and suppliers, store window merchandising and the announcement of the Global Innovation Award (gia) Top Window Award.
“Based on the success of our inaugural Connect SPRING virtual event last May, we wanted to provide housewares buyers and sellers another opportunity to connect around new product innovations, education and expertise that address issues we face as we move forward and get back to pre-pandemic activities,” IHA president, Derek Miller said.
Connect FALL will open with an industry update and outlook by The NPD Group home industry advisor, Joe Derochowski. Other sessions on 27 September include Independent Housewares Retailers: Beyond the Pandemic, a panel discussion led by Peter Giannetti, editor in chief of HomePage News, and including Tony Curtis-Wellings from Faraday’s Kitchen Store in Texas, and Jamie Butler from The Butler’s Pantry in California.
The session will examine how leading independent retailers are aiming beyond the pandemic with fortified merchandising and operational platforms, as well as a determination to set a new and competitive standard for the long-term success of the channel.
Each day’s program will include virtual product demonstrations focused by category, including cook and bakeware, table and drinkware, kitchen gadgets, storage and organisation, cleaning, personal care, home environment and kitchen electrics.
For more information on the agenda or to register, click here.