This is the third in a series of articles previewing the industry education program inside the Inspiration Theater during The Inspired Home Show 2024. This installment previews education sessions focused on Strategic Business Insights.
Presentations on the state of the tableware industry, PFAS chemical regulation in housewares, plant-based product importation requirements and retailer replenishment challenges are among the strategic business topics set for the Inspiration Theater during The Inspired Home Show 2024, March 17-19 at Chicago’s McCormick Place.
The Inspiration Theater program at the 2024 Show continues the Show’s longstanding industry education program previously presented as the Innovation Theater. The 2024 program marks a commitment to bringing relevant, topical and actionable content to the Show at a time when the housewares industry wants and needs such information, direction and inspiration, according to the International Housewares Association, which presents The Inspired Home Show.
With the 2024 Show’s consolidation to the McCormick North and South buildings, the Inspiration Theater is now located in Room S101a in the South Building. It is adjacent to the S102 keynote ballroom to form an industry education hub at the Show.
The Inspiration Theater will present 14 sessions during the show. Sessions begin each day at 9 a.m. and run until 4 p.m., with breaks at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. for the Keynote sessions. Inspiration Theater sessions will explore such topics as omnichannel marketing strategies, supply chain insights, intellectual property law, merchandising best practices and global consumer and retail trends. Sessions are open to all show attendees and exhibitors.
Four programs in the lineup focus on specialized strategic business insights:
Tableware 2024: Where is the Business Going?
Laurie Burns, Burns Consulting, Paul Yeomans, Tableware International; Martha Nading, The Extra Ingredient
Sunday, March 17, 12:10 p.m.
This session will explore what is happening in the tableware industry — who are the leaders; where and how it is being sold; and what are the shifts and opportunities for suppliers. On the retail side, discussion will include how retailers are buying product, what they are buying, what is selling now and how vendors can work with them in this fast-paced, changing world as the next generation moves into needing and purchasing this category.
PFAS Regulatory Update for the Housewares Industry
Fran Groesbeck, The Cookware and Bakeware Alliance; Tom Lee, BCLP Law; Tobias Gerfin, Kuhn Rikon AG
Monday, March 18, 12:10 p.m.
This update on PFAS regulation and what the housewares industry needs to know will explain the latest legislative requirements related to PFAS and how housewares suppliers need to adapt.
The Lacey Act & The Home & Housewares Business
Ashley Amidon, International Wood Products Association; Craig Brightup, Rafe Morrissey, IHA Government Affairs Office
Monday, 3:10 p.m.
The Lacey Act makes it unlawful to “import, export, transport, sell, receive, acquire, or purchase in interstate or foreign commerce any plant, with some limited exceptions, taken or traded in violation of the laws of the United States, a U.S. State, or a foreign country.” In this session, learn how the Lacey Act applies to the housewares supply chain and about new federal Declaration paperwork requirements that will soon be required for every imported product using wood, including kitchen tools, tableware and serveware, cutting boards, spice mills, baskets, cloth, bamboo products, cork, essential oils and olive oil. Lacey covers everyone in the supply chain. Whether you are an importer of record or simply using imported wood inputs in a finished product, this session will explain the information you need today to prepare your compliance program for the Declaration later this year. Not sure if the Lacey Act applies to your company? If you’re using imported wood, it does. Also, in this session, representatives from IHA’s government affairs office will share updates on other key regulatory issues impacting the home and housewares industry.
Retailer Replenishment Systems Don’t Work: Why You Need to Mine Your Retailers’ Point-of-Sale Data for Growth
Doug Murless, Krunchbox Inc.
Tuesday, March 19, 1:10 p.m.
Known as the “Point-of-Sale Data Guy,” Murless will expose the flaws in traditional retailer replenishment systems that annually cost brands thousands of dollars in lost sales. Uncover the game-changing potential of mining retailers’ point-of-sale data to reclaim these losses. This presentation will highlight replenishment system flaws, such as phantom inventory, misallocated stock, dropped product/store combinations, etc. It also will provide actionable ideas and concepts suppliers can implement to secure newfound orders and uncover the profitable elements within their retailers’ point-of-sale data.
The full Inspiration Theater lineup is available on The Inspired Home Show website.
For more information about the 2024 Show and to register for a badge, please visit TheInspiredHomeShow.com. To search for new products that will be at the Show, visit Connect 365, the Show’s online directory.
