In March, we attended the International Home + Housewares Show in Chicago.

The organizers of this show challenge attendees to “profit from the experience.” The home industry is crowded and fast-moving. To achieve success, industry professionals need information that helps them inspire and motivate consumers and adapt on the go, and that’s exactly what we got from our three-day visit to the Windy City.

During our time in Chicago, we heard from a number of industry experts including Tom Mirable, consumer trend forecaster with the International Housewares Association. He gave attendees a crash course on how to survive and thrive in an erratic marketplace. Mirable also revealed his 2014 predictions.

Mirable's presentation included results of research conducted among housewares manufacturers, retailers and wholesalers. Among the findings: many in the industry have misconceptions about demographics and preferences of some of their end users.

 Following are five takeaways we found most interesting:

• More meals are now prepared at home: 72 percent, up 8 percent from two years ago. Plus, 65 percent of Americans say they entertain at home frequently, or at least three times per month.
• Millennials (born 1982-early 2000s) are 1.6 times more likely to be influenced by a coupon than Boomers (born 1946-1964).
• Boomers are downsizing, but they don’t want to sacrifice luxury. And they’re buying experiences now more than at any time in the past.
• As for the future? A staggering number of Boomers are becoming responsible for a parent, and 82 percent of Boomers say they would prefer to stay at home even after they need assistance.
• Get social: 30 percent of Pinterest pins are food/drink-related, and 73 percent of Americans with income above $75K are on Facebook.

Visitors from more than 125 countries attended the show. Did you go? If so, what did you learn?