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
- Bill McHenry, Widgeteer
Council Members
- Hannah Luken Bender, Artichoke
- Gregg Smith, Cook’s Warehouse
- Janis Johnson, Gourmet Catalog & Buying Group
- Cindy Kandel, Hartville Hardware
- KC Lapiana, In the Kitchen – HTI Buying Group
- Angelina Chavez-Gatzka, Kaeblins (Ace)
- Mary Liz Curtin, Leon & Lulu
- Sean O’Hanlon, LeRoux Kitchen
- Michael Higdon, National Building Museum
- Nora Gomez, Nebraska Furniture Mart
- Kellye Wilson, Perrenial Accents
- Laura Havlek, Sign of the Bear
- Dagmar Kubsche, The Cooks Shop
- 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
- William McHenry, Widgeteer
Committee Members
- Terry Crawford, Conimar Group LLC
- Sal Gabbay, Gibson Overseas, Inc.
- 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
- Jamie Jo Cockrell, At Home
- Dave Nielsen, Bed, Bath & Beyond
- Sarah Gambella, Belk’s
- Kevin Kuehl, Big Lots Stores, Inc.
- Argyle Nelson, Bloomingdales
- Keva Smilow, Burlington Stores
- Kim Alexander, Costco
- Brad Kleparek, Crate and Barrel
- Stephanie Mourao, Dillards
- Sherry Hanson, Dollar General
- Jordann Charters, Home Goods
- Naomi Sleeper, Imperial Distributors, Inc.
- Monica Lightfoot, Kroger
- Craig Coleman, Macy’s
- Gia Lewis, Michael’s
- Jenee Sampson, QVC
- Alycia Johnson, Sur la Table
- Danielle Lyman, Wal-Mart Stores
- Sandy Kortright, World Market
- Arun Batra, 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
- Tom McMahon, JURA Inc.
Council Members
- Kyle Carrabine, Gleener
- Joe Fargnoli, TJX
- Lainey Felsenthal, Whitmor
- Emily Green, Lifetime Brands
- Sarah Haylon, Wayfair
- James McHenry, Widgeteer
- Carlie McKibben, Kitchen Supply
- Jasper Prins, Kitchen Supply
- Julia Severance, Widgeteer
- Chloe Small, Macy’s
- Sarah Wilson, IHA
- Jennifer Yang, Seville Classics
