FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Deborah A.Teschke
Manager, Media Relations & Communications
847-692-0110
SMALL APPLIANCE EXHIBITORS UPBEAT ABOUT 2009 INTERNATIONAL HOME + HOUSEWARES SHOW
ROSEMONT, ILL. (February 10, 2009)—In response to these challenging times, several high profile small appliance suppliers have business growth in their sights at the upcoming International Home + Housewares Show, and are excited about being able to show their entire product lines to the more than 20,000 buyers from around globe who are expected to attend. The Show, sponsored by the International Housewares Association (IHA) will be held March 22-24 at Chicago’s McCormick Place.
"The IHA Show offers a marketplace environment in which to do business," says Mark Bissell, chairman & CEO, Bissell Inc. "We will meet with our international associates, distributors and customers in addition to those from North America. It’s a once-a-year opportunity to visit with our customers’ senior management, showcase our products and review on-trend merchandising strategies. In the difficult economic environment, this initiative takes on an even greater importance. We all have less to work with and any expenditure needs to have a strong ROI. I believe the IHA Show provides value to our business."
KitchenAid’s Marty Armstrong agrees, saying the Show is the venue for the industry to begin its recovery from the recession.
"Tough times like these require new solutions and solid planning, and the IHA Show is the best time for senior level partners to get together," says Armstrong, who is vice president, sales, at KitchenAid. "We expect the quality of our trade customer meetings to be very high. Also, seeing how vibrant our industry really is will reinforce to the retail community that Housewares is a category that can lead us out of a recession and drive traffic, like it historically has. The Show is the only place to truly get that feeling across."
"Now is the time to step up and infuse confidence in our industry," says Ron Diamond, president of Conair. "The Conair team will bring intellect, an open to listen and contagious enthusiasm to the show."
And given the economic challenges the industry faces, participating in the Show reinforces to buyers that a company is viable and ready to do business.
"Seeing is believing, so we look forward to showcasing our full line at the Show," says David Shull, vice president, sales & marketing, Jura-Capresso, Inc. "What better way to spend our time than to be with our retailers, discussing the new profit opportunities in today’s marketplace over an authentic high-pressure-brewed cappuccino."
The Show features thousands of housewares and homegoods products for every room in the house, apartment or condo — and outdoor living, too. From high-end international design to trend-setting basics, products range from kitchen electrics and small appliances to gourmet specialty foods and cookware, from bakeware and kitchen tools to home decor, space organizers and storage systems, home healthcare and home-office to pet supplies and lawn and garden decor. For more information about the Show, its educational seminars, special events and exhibits, please visit www.housewares.org
