Hardware Retailing The Industry's Source for Insights and Information
The countdown has begun for those planning to attend the National Hardware Show® and NRHA All-Industry Conference. You’ve packed your bags and are ready to head to Las Vegas, but have you created a game plan for the week?
Your association, the North American Retail Hardware Association (NRHA), can help you make the most out of your trip.
From award ceremonies honoring the best and brightest in the industry to the slew of speakers who will be presenting on the NRHA Village Stage, NRHA can help you make your experience the best it can be.
Learn About Your Association
Think of the NRHA Village as your home away from home. Now located in the Central Hall, Booth (#4542), the village includes space for you to meet with NRHA representatives and learn more about all your association has to offer.
In the village, you’ll find a comfortable place to rest your feet and a few tables to go over some notes. There’s also a kiosk that will serve as a go-to place to learn more about the organization.
The NRHA kiosk provides an interactive tour of the many programs and services NRHA has to offer. From Hardware Retailing magazine to the hardwareretailing.com website to training resources and more, NRHA is here to help you and your employees succeed!
Network with Industry Peers
One of the coolest things about the NRHA All-Industry Conference is that it provides a place for the independent home improvement industry to come together every year. Reinvigorating your passion and meeting like-minded individuals is a great perk of attending the conference (and the National Hardware Show).
To mix and mingle with others in the industry, come to the NRHA Village at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, May 5, for the NRHA Independent Retailer Reception. All independent retailers attending the show are invited to stop by the Village as the show floor closes up for the day. This is a casual and welcoming event to meet others and enjoy their company.
Gain Knowledge to Apply to Your Business
Every year, NRHA invites experts to speak on the NRHA Village Stage. These individuals cover a wide variety of topics, with the goal to help you improve your business in a variety of ways.
This year, the NRHA All-Industry Conference will cover different generational behaviors and preferences that affect businesses and the home improvement industry. Speakers will discuss specific management tips, marketing techniques and consumer tendencies and will provide attendees with forward-thinking advice.
Included below is a schedule of speakers at the conference.
- When Generations Connect
- Speaker: Scott Zimmer, generational expert from BridgeWorks
- Tuesday, May 5, 9:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
- Generational Buying Patterns in the Home Improvement Industry
- Speaker: Jim Robisch, senior partner, The Farnsworth Group
- Tuesday, May 5, 11 a.m.-11:45 a.m.
- Mobile Marketing for the Generations
- Speaker: Pat Murphy, VP mobile relationship management, FunMobility, Inc.
- Tuesday, May 5, 1 p.m.-1:45 p.m.
- Top Tips for Generational Marketing
- Speaker: Ruth Furman, principal, ImageWords Communications
- Tuesday, May 5, 3 p.m.-3:45 p.m.
- The Next Generation of Independent Owners
- Moderator: Scott Wright, executive director, retail leadership institute, NRHA
- Wednesday, May 6, 9:30 a.m.-10:15 a.m.
- Home Sweet Home
- Presented by: Independent We Stand & NRHA
- Wednesday, May 6, 10:30 a.m.-11:15 a.m.
- Succession Planning in the Home Improvement Industry
- Speaker: Gary Pittsford, president and CEO, Castle Wealth Advisors
- Wednesday, May 6, 11:15 a.m.-12 p.m.
- Social Media 101: Best Practices & Tips to Dominate
- Presented by Industry Edge
- Wednesday, May 6, 2 p.m.-2:45 p.m.
- Last Chance Look from the Show Floor: NRHA Panel
- Moderator: Allison DeWitt, director of member services, NRHA
- Thursday, May 7, 9:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m.
Honor the Winners
In addition to gaining knowledge you can apply to your business after leaving the conference, consider attending the awards ceremonies as well to see the best in the industry, from retailers to manufactures. This will give you a chance to celebrate others’ success and learn from winners as well.
The night before the National Hardware Show and NRHA All-Industry Conference begin, NRHA will honor and celebrate the Young Retailer of the Year award winners. And over the next few days, there are several awards programs at the NRHA Village Stage you’ll want to watch as well. Included below are the award ceremonies to check out during the NRHA All-Industry Conference.
- Packaging and Merchandising Awards
- Tuesday, May 5, 2 p.m.-2:45 p.m.
- NRHA Top Gun Awards
- Wednesday, May 6, 1 p.m.-1:45 p.m.
- Made in the USA Awards
- Wednesday, May 6, 3 p.m.-3:15 p.m.
- Lawn, Garden & Outdoor Living Innovation Awards
- Wednesday, May 6, 3:45 p.m.-4 p.m.
- Homewares Awards
- Wednesday, May 6, 4 p.m.-4:15 p.m.
- NRHA Retailers’ Choice Awards
- Wednesday, May 6, 5 p.m.-5:30 p.m.
- New Product Launch Awards
- Thursday, May 7, 11 a.m.-11:15 a.m.
- New Product World Awards
- Thursday, May 7, 11:15 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
