Global Innovator Award Display
In 2010, 22 housewares retailers from more than 20 countries from around the world were recognized for exceptional retailing excellence and superior visual merchandising. Benefit from the merchandising savvy of this group of best-in-class retailers by visiting the gia Showcase where visuals of their award-winning efforts are on display. On Sunday evening, March 14th, five retailers will received the additional distinction of Global Honorees based on the determination of a distinguished panel of international retail experts.
Grand Concourse Lobby

Housewares Design Theater
Innovation and differentiation contribute to successful new products in the housewares industry. Leading designers, trendspotters and marketers offer inspiration to help identify the right products for consumers and present the latest thinking on green design and practice. Listen to speakers from the 2010 lineup of great presentations. Level 3 Lobby, Lakeside Center

Student Design Competition
Meet the winners of the 16th annual Student Design Competition sponsored by the International Housewares Association. Industrial design students from the U.S., Canada and other countries compete in this rigorous program, judged by new product development professionals. Six winners come to Chicago to be introduced to the industry at our Show. See samples of their work and be inspired by their ideas for future products.

Design Defined
What makes an outstanding design? Teams of design professionals and young designers, our Design Finders, visited the Clean + Contain Expo searching for well-designed products. The 2010 Honorees were announced Monday, March 15 and were featured in a presentation that played until the close of the Show at the Design Defined display in the Grand Concourse Lobby, which featured photos of the products selected at the 2009 Show. Learn more about the 2010 products.

Global Design
With over 800 suppliers from outside the U.S. exhibiting in the 2009 Show, you can experience well-designed products from around the world. These global suppliers will be located in categories throughout the Show including companies from Brazil, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Turkey. Also, don’t miss the Global Crossroads Expo located in the North Building and featuring products from China, Hong Kong, India and Taiwan. This innovative expo focuses on the international pavilions offering unlimited sourcing opportunities.
Grand Concourse Lobby

New Product Showcases
Take a peek at 100s of innovative new products from each Show Expo. These high demand new products are showcased inside the Buyers Clubs in the North and South buildings and Lakeside Center. A must-see for all Show buyers. Buyer's Clubs, All Buildings

PANTONE ColorWatch
ColorWatch, the Show’s annual look at the impact of color on our industry, brings Pantone’s color forecasts to life. Eight color palettes representing the strongest home furnishings trends for 2011 were illustrated with powerful graphics and with products from Show exhibitors. Always a magnet for retailers and marketers, the appealing display offered inspiration and ideas for visual merchandising. Listen to Lee Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute describe her color forecast for 2011

Design Directions: Going Green
This display featured examples of sustainable packaging and eco-friendly products by our exhibitors and selected by experts in sustainability. The Going Green display distributed a listing by company and booth number and presented a slide show featuring additional green products to help visitors find the latest offerings by Show exhibitors. Individuals knowledgeable in sustainable packaging and product planning hosted the display as Experts by the Hour, speaking with visitors and answering questions. Material ConneXion, the world’s foremost materials resource, www.materialconnexion.com, inspired visitors with a special hands-on display of exciting new materials samples.

Inventors Corner
How are the most creative minds solving the problems that consumers face each day? Visit the Inventors Corner, featuring actual product creations and their inventors. You may find your next best-seller here.