ADVISORY UNIT FORMED FOR HOUSEWARES SHOWS

ROSEMONT, Ill. -- The National Housewares Manufacturers Association here has formed a Retail Trade Show Advisory Council, representing 14 channels of distribution, to advise it on improving future show formats.

nternational Housewares Representatives Association, A.M.I./Core-Mark, Federated Wholesale Co., McCrory Corp., Shopko Stores Inc., Tash Inc. and Zellers.

"The remodeling and expansion of McCormick Place offers us the opportunity to restage the International Housewares Show in 1998, and provide the industry with a significantly changed, more valuable and more efficient housewares forum," explained Phil Brandl, NHMA director of trade development.

The council will hold its first meeting prior to the International Housewares Show Jan. 14. Among issues to be discussed will be a review of NHMA's worldwide trade show benchmarking process, an update on McCormick Place renovation, current customer perspectives on the show and suggestions for reformatting the show.