Hardware Retailing The Industry's Source for Insights and Information
Wrapping up a full three days of product discovery, education and networking, the National Hardware Show (NHS) said goodbye to attendees on Thursday. During the course of the high-energy Show, attendees walked the floor discovering new products, met with new vendors and familiar favorites and got together with industry colleagues.
“The energy felt really good and people were really excited. Feedback from the Show floor has been really positive,” says event vice president Beth Casson. “We’ve had a lot of great educational sessions that presented some great content, and of course, there were lots of great products.”
The international vendor and retailer community was back in full force for this Show after many had to skip the last few Shows because of the pandemic. Casson says that nearly 20% of attendees came from outside the U.S., nearly back to pre-pandemic numbers.
NHS made a concentrated effort to provide relevant content programming at this Show and was able to offer high-quality educational sessions, keynotes and panels.
“I think one big win for the Show was our ability to offer focused content for attendees, like the North American Hardware and Paint Association’s Foundation of Merchandising Management Live! program,” Casson says. “It was awesome to see all the students coming out to learn how to merchandise and shop a show, and then actually get that tactical real-life experience out on our Show floor.”
Casson says offering targeted content will be an area the Show plans to build on for the future.
“These types of programs are going to be something that we double down on for the future, looking at our audiences and figuring out what else we can do that will be engaging and relevant,” she says.
While this year’s Show is just wrapping up, the dates for the 2024 National Hardware Show were announced today. Next year’s Show will take place March 26-28, 2024, in the West Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center.
“This new time frame gives us the opportunity to grow and look at new categories we can add and what else we can offer,” Casson says. “I’m excited to have over a year to plan the next Show, which will allow us to plan a Show that is valuable and offers experiences our attendees want and need.”
Showcasing New Products and Inventors
NHS made it easy for attendees to discover new products and inventors through its HABITAT NEW and HABITAT NEXT showcases.
HABITAT NEW featured the most exciting new products from new-to-market brands and industry veterans in a discovery zone for hardware and home improvement launches.
HABITAT NEXT was powered by the United Inventors Association (UIA). Here, attendees were able to discover innovations by inventors whose products embody how we as an industry can deliver new solutions for everyday living and rise to meet the changes in our world.
Yvette Leslie from VinYvet Enterprises in Frisco, Texas, was on hand to showcase her product, the Smarter Hook, which is designed to hold bags and purses on the handles of everyday objects, such as grocery carts, luggage, walkers, strollers and more.
Leslie says her experience at the Show has been nothing short of amazing.
“This is one of the best tradeshows I’ve been to,” she says. “The reception is awesome, and people are open to new products. It’s busy from the time they open until close.”
