About IHA
Who is the International Housewares Association?
The International Housewares Association (IHA) is a non-profit trade organization that is committed to maximizing the success of the home + housewares industry.
The IHA provides its members with a range of services, including year-round access to executive-level share groups and conferences, a wide range of international business development tools, housewares industry market data and information services, facilitation of industry standards and more! We also advocate on behalf of the industry and work to promote its growth and success.
The IHA hosts The Inspired Home Show every March in Chicago at McCormick Place. The Show attracts thousands of attendees from around the globe and provides an opportunity for home + housewares industry professionals to showcase their products, network, and learn about the latest trends and innovations.
Our Vision
As The Home Authority, the International Housewares Association (IHA) will identify opportunities, challenges, and changes impacting the global home and housewares industry and develop products and services that help members succeed and adjust to evolving market conditions.
Our Mission
The International Housewares Association (IHA) is committed to maximizing the success of the global home and housewares market on behalf of its membership. IHA provides events, education, and resources to bring together product suppliers, buyers and industry service providers to facilitate and grow sales, develop relationships and share knowledge.
IHA Committees
The Committee provides exhibitors’ perspectives on trade show issues, including trade show planning, execution and measurement.
Board Liaison
- Glenn De Stefano, Storebound
Committee Members
- Edmond Aghajanian, EZ Brite Brands, Inc.
- Kevin Chandrajan, Salton
- Glenn De Stefano, Storebound* Board Liaison
- Chuck Fraelich, Tag
- Mark Horstman, Buddeez, Inc.
- Michael Karyo, Prepara
- Bill McHenry, Widgeteer
- Jennifer Picariello, Scrub Daddy
- Emily Skelton, Dreamfarm
- Wesley Smith, Smith Agency
- Kelly Walsh, Escalli
The Council provides specialty retailers’ perspectives on trade show issues and input on trade show and product planning, execution and measurement.
Board Liaison
- Yvette Laugier, Peugeot Saveurs North America LLC
Council Members
- Victor Elmann, Circuit City
- John Mahler, Cook Cork and Fork
- Gregg Smith, Cook’s Warehouse
- Janis Johnson, Gourmet Catalog & Buying Group
- KC Lapiana, In the Kitchen – HTI Buying Group
- Mary Liz Curtin, Leon & Lulu
- Michael Higdon, National Building Museum
- Nora Gomez, Nebraska Furniture Mart
- Jim Egan, Wegmans
- Michele Dietz, Wisconsin Cutlery
The International Business Council is a special interest group of IHA members, dedicated to helping its membership market and sell their products internationally by sharing information, providing networking opportunities and offering programs to assist, support and educate.
IHA Board Liaison
- Mike Otterman, Lodge Cast Iron
President
- Henrique Boscolo, Winix Inc.
Committee Members
- Will Augenbraun, Scrub Daddy, Inc.
- Giancarlo Barzotti, Whitmor Inc.
- Kelly Burrows, Dreamfarm
- Elias Gutt, Sttelli
- Eduardo Lemus, Picnic Time Family of Brands
- Jan Murtagh, Component Design Northwest, Inc.
- Lee Riddle, Lodge Mfg.
This Committee plays an integral role in policy development and implementation by providing recommendations and direction on federal legislative and regulatory issues and on initiatives that could impact the business interests of the housewares industry. It also provides guidance on long and short-term grassroots action plans.
Board Liaison
- Thomas Nichols, Pretika Corporation
Committee Chairperson
- Dale Matschullat, At Counsel, Schiff Hardin LLP
Committee Members
- Terry Crawford, Conimar Group LLC
- Sal Gabbay, Gibson Overseas, Inc.
- Linda Graebner, LSG Associates
- Steve Greenspon, Honey Can Do International
- Yvette Laugier, Peugeot Saveurs North America LLC
- David Zrike, Zrike Brands
The Council provides customers’ perspectives on trade show issues and input on trade show and product planning, execution and measurement.
Board Liaison
- Michael Hayes, Newell Brands
Council Members
- Betsy Odland, Amazon
- Adan Dranny, Amazon
- Robert LeBrun, Big Lots Stores, Inc.
- Brad Kleparek, Crate and Barrel
- Laura Petrillo, Giant Eagle
- Tom Hayes, Home Goods
- Naomi Sleeper, Imperial Distributors, Inc.
- Craig Coleman, Macy’s
- Chris Luce, The Container Store
- Russell Winters, Wal-Mart Stores
- Paige Kelly, Wayfair
- Katie Roberts, William Sonoma
The Council of global retailers and distributors provides customers’ perspectives on trade show issues and input on trade show and product planning, execution and measurement.
Board Liaison
- Kim Cole, Gleener Inc.
Council Members
- Maximo Bach, MercadoLibre, Argentina
- Michelle Dickinson, Burton McCall, UK
- Sandra Dobbins, Master Distributors, Australia
- James Ge, Euroidea Corporation, China
- Leonella Gomez, Kado, El Salvador
- David Nourse, Koola World, South Africa
- James Karani, Yuwa, Japan
- Jackson Liang, Genesis, China
- Jonathan Lim, Katrin BJ, Malaysia
- Meir Maryena, Tendencias y Conceptos, Mexico
- Liz Oldfield, Milly’s, New Zealand
- Ben Phillips, Divertimenti, UK
- Chris Shipton, Jascor Housewares Inc.
- Pavel Stanek, Potten & Pannen, Czech Republic
- Susan San Miguel, Gourdo’s, Philippines
- Helen Widjaja, PT ACE Hardware, Indonesia
The Council assists IHA in making the Show more meaningful for a younger audience and offers advice on how to bring more young people into the industry.
Board Liaison
- Scott Felsenthal, Whitmor, Inc.
Council Members
- Michael Rine, Oxo
- Sarah Wilson, IHA
- Leif Melvin, YouCopia
- Chloe Small, Macy’s
- Emily Green, Lifetime Brands
- Pamela Mical, Honey Can Do International
- Nolan Brinkman, Escali
- Lainey Felsenthal, Whitmor
