HIRI event will explore the future of home improvement

The Home Improvement Research Institute (HIRI) will examine the future of home improvement with advice on dealing with opportunities and challenges during its 2010 Fall Conference in Chicago Oct. 13.

The HIRI conference is open to both members and non-members and will kick off with an 8:00 a.m. welcome followed by a string of seven research-based presentations. The presentations include "Understanding today's pro customer -- purchase behavior and attitudes of the remodeler and builder markets" and "Home improvement future-forward: What's ahead and what it means for home improvement."

A full agenda can be found on HIRI's website.

The event will be held at the Doubletree Hotel Chicago Magnificent Mile, and is sponsored by The Farnsworth Group, ICR, Synovate, TNS and The Stevenson Co. Discounts are available for early registration.

On the day after the conference, HIRI will host a members-only "Future of home improvement workshop," from 8 a.m. to noon.