Hardware Retailing The Industry's Source for Insights and Information
Leaving Marco Island, Florida, a little more tan and hopefully a little wiser, attendees of the 2024 Independent Home Improvement Conference (IHI Conference) returned to their operations with insights into industry trends and practical ways to improve ROI on retail operations.
More importantly, the event, which was hosted by the North American Hardware and Paint Association (NHPA) and The Hardware Conference, sent attendees home with a renewed energy to grow the channel.
The event reinforced existing relationships and established new ones and brought together retailers from all affiliations and of all sizes to make new connections with vendors, wholesaler partners and one another.
“The IHI Conference was a firsthand representation of what the industry can do when it comes together,” says NHPA COO Dan Tratensek. “Seeing the energy, support and sharing of ideas during the conference is not just encouraging but truly makes me excited about the future of the independent channel in this industry.”
See You Next Year!
We just wrapped up 2024, but can’t wait for 2025. Register now for the 2025 Independent Home Improvement Conference at 2025.ihiconference.org and save big with exclusive launch pricing. Available for a limited time and only for the first 250 registrants.
Keynote Speakers Share Insights, Inspiration
On Day 1, Al Comeaux, change agent and former executive with Travelocity, GE and American Airlines, walked the audience through the steps for cultivating a mindset of change in an organization.
“Change is one problem we don’t solve by ourselves. We might have deep business knowledge and lots of experience, but during change, I want to challenge you to approach change as if you know nothing,” Comeaux says. “No matter how long you’ve been in the business, there’s no possible way to understand everything, so rely on those around you.”
On Day 2, Arthur Greeno, owner and operator of two Chick-fil-A restaurants in Tulsa, Oklahoma, shared the “secret sauce” for recruiting individuals with a genuine passion for service. Through engaging anecdotes from his time with Chick-fil-A, he outlined the essential elements for cultivating exceptional customer experiences.
“Cared for people care for people. It’s that simple. If you’re caring for your team, then they’re going to care for your guests,” Greeno says. “Our job as leaders is to be listening for what is going on in our employees’ worlds to find those opportunities to touch their lives.”
Also on Day 2, attendees embarked on an extraordinary journey with Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger, whose life story epitomizes resilience and determination. Against all odds, Rudy fulfilled his childhood dream of playing football for Notre Dame, immortalized in the film “Rudy.”
“Don’t worry about pain, because it’s going to be painful regardless,” Ruettiger says. “Dreams are painful. Work is painful. It’s painful to be the best of the best in what you do. But the pain will go away when you succeed.”
Taking a Closer Look at the Industry
During the general session, the Day 1 retailer panel shared insights into growing your operation in a flat economy. The panel included Jeff Grasty of Florida Paints, Dave Ables of Three Sons Hardware and Tri-County Lumber and Josiah Gates of The Aubuchon Company.
Also on Day 1, NHPA’s Tratensek provided an inside look at the independent channel in his State of the Industry address.
“Independents in the home improvement channel are doing what you’ve done best for the last several hundred years,” Tratensek says. “You’ve been agile, and those former value propositions are changing. Convenience is giving way to curation, service has evolved into relationship cultivation and product knowledge is transforming to customer confirmation.”
Addressing the pressing labor dilemmas, the Day 2 panelists shared unconventional methods for sourcing, retaining motivating and compensating their teams. The panelists were Yilda Marte of Sunshine Ace Hardware, Leonardo Osorio of Sunpro and Gina Schaefer of A Few Cool Hardware Stores.
Breakout Sessions Bring the Education
On both days of the conference, the 30 breakout sessions covered four tracks: technology, employee engagement, retail operations and marketing, merchandising and advertising. Attendees heard from industry experts and independent retailers who offered practical takeaways and best practices for improving ROI in all areas of the business.
Dalton Meny, head of operations for Meny’s True Value, says the breakout sessions were interesting and informative.
“It’s good to hear from other retailers and get new ideas,” Meny says. “There were a number of little things we learned at the conference that we want to start changing right away. I also think these breakout sessions help us gain some new excitement for our stores after learning how to make them better.”
Attendees Make New Connections in the Partner Pavilion
In the Partner Pavilion, over 50 exhibitors shared how their products and services could help retailers boost return on investment in all operational areas.
Jack Crouch from Carpenter Bee Blocker Pro says he appreciated getting to meet a variety of retailers from across the industry during the well-organized event.
“The resort was off-the-charts awesome and everything was so well done,” Crouch says.
Steven Laiss, account executive for 4R Systems, says the smaller, more intimate sessions allowed people to ask questions and discuss topics with a group of their peers.
“The 2023 event was great, but NHPA outdid themselves this year,” Laiss says. “The educational and collaborative sessions drove more members to the exhibit floor to learn more about the solutions and service offerings.”
Honoring the Best of the Best
The Young Retailer of the Year program promotes the next generation of aspiring independent home improvement, paint and decorating retailers. This year’s honorees were recognized at an awards reception where each of their accolades were shared and they had an opportunity to thank those who have helped them get to where they are.
For nearly two decades, NHPA has honored outstanding retailers in the independent home improvement sector through its esteemed Top Guns Awards program. This year’s cohort of honorees included Glen Morosohk of Ricciardi Bros., Wendy Stine of Stine Home + Yard and Darren Tomasini of Dazey’s Supply.
During the conference, the Top Guns Awards honorees took part in a panel sharing how their operations have found success by focusing on customer service, employee engagement andembracing innovation and were celebrated at a reception to close out the conference.
“For somebody who has spent their life in the industry, it means a lot to me to be named a Top Guns honoree,” Morosohk says. “It means a lot to me to be a part of this outstanding group.”
