Business visionary Steve Forbes, editor-in-chief of the nation's leading business magazine and a leading political voice, will offer his take on the future of the U.S. economy during the annual Industry Breakfast at the 2010 International Home + Housewares Show (IH+HS). The breakfast begins at 7 a.m. Tuesday, March 16, in the South Building, Level 1, Room S100/Grand Ballroom.

In 1996 and 2000, Forbes campaigned vigorously for the Republican nomination for the presidency. He continues to promote his political agenda, which includes a flat tax, medical savings accounts, a new Social Security system for working Americans, parental choice of schools, term limits and a strong national defense.

Under Forbes' leadership, Forbes, Inc. has launched a variety of new publications and businesses, including ForbesLife, the dedicated lifestyle magazine; ForbesWoman, aimed at executive women; ForbesAsia; and Forbes editions in several countries.

"Steve Forbes has been a forceful advocate of the idea that the American tax code is far too complicated and has greatly strayed from its revenue-collection mission, becoming a force for social engineering," says Rudy Giuliani in the foreword of "Power, Ambition, Glory," a 2009 book by Forbes and John Prevas. "In communicating that idea -- and offering a postcard-sized alternative -- Steve entered the public debate and emerged as a leader of the movement to make taxation fairer and simpler."

A widely respected economic prognosticator, Forbes is the only writer to have won the prestigious Crystal Owl Award four times. The prize was formerly awarded by U.S. Steel Corp. to the financial journalist whose economic forecasts for the coming year proved most accurate.

In addition to Forbes' presentation, IHA chairman Robert Trudeau, chairman of Trudeau Corp., will briefly outline the Association's accomplishments in the past year and its objectives for the future. Tickets for the Industry Breakfast are $25 per person or $300 for a table of 10 with priority seating. Tickets can be purchased at http://www.housewares.org/Show/info/breakfast.aspx or during the Show at the Show Store, South Building, Level 2.5.