The Grommet Wins Annual Design Influencer Award

November 8, 2017  by Jane Chero in Designer Weekly, Industry, Las Vegas, Market, Special Events   

“Las Vegas Market is pleased and proud to host the 13th Housewares Design Awards and to recognize The Grommet for its leadership position as Design Influencer of the Year,” said Dorothy Belshaw, president of gift leasing and chief marketing officer, International Market Centers.

“We feel that The Grommet, which started as a unique product launch program for inventors and entrepreneurs, has evolved to become a powerful retail and merchandising platform,” Belshaw said.

“The Grommet’s community of makers, retailers and consumers represents the spirit of the Housewares Design Awards, which reward design innovation and product function.  Additionally, The Grommet’s recent acquisition by Ace Hardware makes the company’s mission – and message – even more influential to the buying and selling process,” Belshaw added.

Founded in 2008 by Domeniconi and Jules Pieri, co-founder and chief executive officer, The Grommet is a curated, online media platform for launching innovative consumer products created by makers, inventors, and entrepreneurs.

The Grommet has helped to discover and launch dozens of products that have become household brand names, including SodaStream, FitBit, IdeaPaint, OtterBox and SimpliSafe.

To date, The Grommet has launched more than 2,500 consumer products and has amassed a community of more than 3.5 million early adopters and supporters. 

More than 200 of these innovative consumer products have been exhibited at the Las Vegas Market since 2014, and the company expects to showcase some 75 products at the winter 2018 edition.  

The next step in the company’s evolution will be fueled by the relationship with Ace, which acquired a majority stake in The Grommet in October.

The combination of Ace’s expansive supply chain and network of 5,034 stores, along with The Grommet’s innovative product discovery platform, will provide artisans, entrepreneurs, inventors and other innovators a powerful path to meaningful growth.

“The Grommet has often been called a ‘general store for innovation,’ and we are delighted and extremely gratified to be recognized with this prestigious award,” said Domeniconi.

“Our mission has always been to help local businesses, entrepreneurs and independent makers thrive, and we are excited about being able to extend that mission through our new relationship with Ace Hardware Corp. The spirit behind our makers and entrepreneurs is very much at the heart of Ace, with its stores being independently owned and operated by local entrepreneurs,” said Domeniconi.

The Awards Celebration will be held at Las Vegas Market on Tuesday, Jan. 30,

from 5 - 7:30 p.m. The celebration will kick off with cocktails and networking on floor C11, within the Housewares Design Awards finalist gallery displays.

The winners will be announced and finalists will be recognized on floor C1 from 6:15 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Tickets to the event cost $25 each and may be purchased online at www.housewaresdesignawards.com/links/venue.php.