Housewares Show Gives Back to Five Chicago-based Charities
May 12, 2014
When the International Home + Housewares Show packed up at the end of their show, held March 15-18 at Chicago’s McCormick Place, they encouraged their exhibitors to donate products to five local charities.
At this year’s show, 225 exhibitors took part in the donation program, a 29 percent increase, compared with donations the previous year.
The charities use the products for various activities, ranging from auction items at their annual fundraising galas to merchandise in their resale shops.
Charities participating in the product donation program this year were: Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Greater Illinois Chapter, Family Shelter Service, Marklund Children’s Home, Sertoma Centre, Inc. and The Salvation Army.
The product donation program is open to all show exhibitors. Companies wanting to donate all or part of their merchandise after the show closes contact the charities before the show to indicate their interest in donating to the organization.
The charities also are allowed to solicit exhibitors on the last day of the show only and must submit to show management a list of exhibitors whose product they are receiving.
Charity volunteers pack up and remove product donated to them after the very end of the last day.
“The product donation program is a convenient way for exhibitors to remove the booth product they don’t want to pack and ship back to their offices, while offering the charities a wonderful opportunity to acquire merchandise they can use for fundraisers and galas. It is a win-win for everyone,” said Mia Rampersad, vice president of the show.
She added, “We are very happy the program is growing each year as more exhibitors sign up with the charities.”
Both exhibitors and the charities have processes they must follow to help prevent theft and ensure a smooth donation process, Rampersad said
Several of the charities used the donated product within a month after the show.
Family Shelter Service held a gala April 11, which included housewares products as auction items and a warehouse sale April 27 with famous brands of cookware, kitchen utensils, storage items and “As Seen on TV” products; the Sertoma Centre held a Housewares Super Sale in early April; and Marklund Children’s Home Resale Shop featured the housewares items in its spring stock.
For companies interested in donating product at the close of the 2015 International Home + Housewares Show, further information and instructions will be provided in the Exhibitor Services Manual on www.housewares.org in November.
Partner Voices
Overview:
The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality.
In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way.
“We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.”
Amenities:
The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.
The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience
The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need.
Gold Key Members
The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events.
OCCC Events:
This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.
The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:
AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023
200,000 Attendees
$257 Million in Economic Impact
MEGACON 2023
160,000 Attendees
$205 Million in Economic Impact
Open Championship Series 2023
69,500 Attendees
$89 Million in Economic Impact
Sunshine Classic 2023
42,000 Attendees
$54 Million in Economic Impact
Premiere Orlando 2023
42,000 Attendees
$108 Million in Economic Impact
Add new comment