Hardware Retailing The Industry's Source for Insights and Information
AFTER HOSTING a sold-out Group Merchandising Conference in May, Hardlines Distribution Alliance (HDA) is setting its sights on the Executive Planning Conference (EPC) scheduled for November 19-21 in Tucson, Arizona. This year, the EPC is brimming with opportunity for member distributors and manufacturer partners to connect. HDA will introduce a vendor showcase that will allow new vendors to highlight products and their company in addition to scheduled meetings, a golf tournament, receptions and the featured item area.
“In planning the upcoming EPC, we wanted to provide even more opportunities for vendors to introduce their products and their programs to key decision-makers for attending distributors,” says Trent Kauffman, director of merchandising at HDA. “The new vendor showcase combined with the popular staples of the EPC heightens vendor and distributor interaction.”
The vendor showcase will take place on the first day of the conference, Nov. 19, and will utilize a roundtable format for member distributors to get acquainted with new vendors. Those introductions will allow distributors and members to walk into their private, pre-scheduled meetings on Wednesday and Thursday with a head start on forming a business relationship.
In addition to the vendor showcase, vendors will have the opportunity to expand upon their program and available products during the one-on-one meetings. These meetings are the perfect way to get an audience with decision-makers who are engaged, focused and searching for impactful programs to enhance their business. The November timeframe also has the added benefit of setting all attendees up for success moving into the new year and impacting ROI by allowing vendor attendees to meet with dozens of distributor members over the course of only three days.
The EPC is also designed to maximize networking opportunities in social settings during the golf tournament on the Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course and during evening receptions. Vendors can sponsor hole-in-one contests, the beverage cart and more to keep their name in front of the group. A welcome reception, themed dinner reception and farewell reception provide even more social settings to speak with attendees outside of scheduled meetings. To further introduce and display product during the EPC, the featured item area provides a designated spot for distributor members to peruse and vote on displayed products for each category.
HDA’s mission to curate quality, substantial events continues to evolve from year to year. This year’s EPC promises to be overflowing with opportunity for all attendees to make meaningful connections that drive business growth into the future.
