IHA DIARY

2008
China International Hardware Show/Powered by Practical World New International EXPO Center, Shanghai, China 17.9.2008 ~ 19.9.2008

Bangkok International Gift Fair and Bangkok International Houseware Fair 2008
April 17-22, 2008 www.bigandbih.com

Tendence + Collectione (together from 2008), Frankfurt 08.07.2008

Japan DIY Homecenter Show 2008 28-30 August 2008
Venue: Makuhari Messe (Chiba Pref., JAPAN)

Security, Essen
10.10.2008

Bau, Munich
17.01.2009

2009
Managing Committee and Council
17th September 2009

General Assembly
20th September 2009

50th Congress and Centenary celebration, London
18-21 September 2009

 

 

IHA President Chris Patterson, with Alan Hawkins, BHF Group Managing Director and Paul Woolley, BHF Group Commercial Director was delighted with progress made during the recent Council Meeting in Chicago, where they were presenting their plans and promoting the 2009 Centenary. Congress Olivier Blondet, IHA Chairman and delegates from around the world gave an enthusiastic reception to the latest information adding constructive comment emphasising the importance of B2B for example.  The President said, “With the locations and the sponsorship more or less in place, we shall now move on to setting the business programme in place, finalise the marketing programme and securing the on-line booking facility.”

Alan Hawkins on the news that Toolbank the first confirmed speaker will present a paper on E-Commerce and Business to Consumer activities commented, "This went down well with the assembled delegates.  We expect to be rolling out other top names in the next few weeks. The Congress continues to develop and the full business programme is shown on our website at: www.iha2009.com.  Several big name speakers have been approached and we expect to start releasing names of confirmed speakers by the end of July 2008.”

All interested groups and individual Members are urged to register their interest on the IHA website and the ability to make actual bookings will open from 1 September 2008 with early bird discounts and group offers available at that time. Continuing for the host organisers Alan Hawkins said,” If you need any help to arrange or organise a bespoke, pre- or post-Congress tour, then please feel free to contact me and I will put you in touch with our agents. We expect to have booking online availability from September 2008, with various early bird discounts and group offers for overseas delegations, meanwhile please register your interest.”

IHA Managing Committee Chairman Olivier Blondet.
“I remain firmly focussed on the development of our core role in bringing together the people and their knowledge from national organisations throughout the hardware andhousewares world Our work is achieved through a modest offer to cultivate open working relationships which encourage a greater breadth and understanding of our markets. For the businesses which look to their association for the commercial success, this worldwide organisation is very well poised to help, and we can all help each other. In that respect the opportunity presented through the International Congress has a significant record of achievement and I know and wish to share that benefit which comes from participation. In March the IHA Council and Managing Committee will meet in Chicago when members will also enjoy a hosted visit to the International Home and Housewares Show and the Global Innovators Awards Dinner, I take this opportunity to wish you a happy, healthy and successful year, and I look forward to meeting many friends during the months ahead as we work towards the 2009 Centenary Congress in London.”


Secretary General – Jonathan Swift.

At the first planning meeting back in 2005 President (then designate) Chris Patterson determined that the 50th Congress, which also celebrates the Centenary of the formation of IHA in 1909, would deliver all the magic of London to create the WOW factor. The palaces, the pageantry, the history, the arts, the culture, the sights, the theatre, the markets.

The QE11 Conference Centre, opposite Westminster Abbey and next to Parliament Square with the Tower of Big Ben, sets the stage for many of the most important conferences in England and will be the focal point of the next IHA Congress, 18 – 21 September 2009. As host to HRH The Princess Royal, Patron of the Congress, BHF Group has arranged a challenging programme of topics and guest speakers, looking forward to help delegates recognise the inevitable business developments and changes and plan for the new demands from customers and suppliers.  In a statement to the organising committee President Patterson explained, “Our business is not locked in a time warp. We are asking our speakers to think very positively and tell us about their conclusions about where they are going, identify trends, to offer options and opinions.  I want a conference packed with ideas and insight from speakers with experience and vision.”

If you are thinking about a special pre- or post-Congress tour BHF Group has a specialist team ready to help you with any arrangement which will add to your visit to England. Alan Hawkins, Managing Director at BHF Group will help with ideas, if you prepare in advance and plan your visit to London for 2009 and the Centenary Congress. I encourage you to advise the organisers now. This early message will be of great help, please use the e-mail on the website, there is no obligation if you change your mind.

REGISTER YOUR INTEREST HERE

IHA Centenary Congress Business Programme

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AHMA Announcement (Download pdf)

German Overview of the hardware trade in 2007 Download the pdf here

ROYAL PATRONAGE CONFIRMED FOR 2009 CENTENARY CONGRESS.

The Princess Royal has agreed to become Patron of the IHA Centenary Congress, which takes place in London from September 17 to 21, 2009.

BHF Group, which will host the Congress for the IHA, is planning a spectacular event for international delegates based on the Queen Elizabeth 11 Conference Centre, London’s top conference venue.