Association

As the only event uniting the entire independent channel, the 2026 Independent Home Improvement Conference (IHI) promises to deliver practical takeaways, interaction with top industry vendors and chances to connect. Taking place July 29-30 at the JW Marriott Orlando Grande …

Celebrating its 20th year honoring trailblazing retailers in the channel, the North American Hardware and Paint Association (NHPA) has named its 2026 Top Guns Awards honorees, including David Enmark, CEO of The Helpful Hardware Company, based in Cumming, Georgia. “Top …

Sunny Florida awaits as the home of the 2026 Independent Home Improvement Conference (IHI Conference) hosted by the North American Hardware and Paint Association (NHPA) and The Hardware Conference. Independent retailers, industry experts and channel vendors will gather for two …

Looking at how fellow independent home improvement operations are performing throughout the year gives retailers in the channel the data to make improvements to their operations. Since 2022, the North American Hardware and Paint Association (NHPA) has partnered with The …

Unsure of what the future would hold or even what he wanted his future to look like, Kane Wilbanks turned to the military, joining the U.S. Marine Corps in 2017. “The unknown really drove my motivation to join the Marines,” …

Always ready. Always there. The venerable motto of the United States National Guard is what Tim Kromholtz lived out during his time in the Washington Air National Guard and in his executive role in the independent home improvement industry. Kromholtz’s …

Wrapping up three days of intensive learning, students of the North American Hardware and Paint Association’s Retail Management Certification Program (RMCP) class of 2025 took away skills and knowledge to grow store sales and profits in today’s changing retail landscape. …

Serving as a combat engineer in the U.S. Marines from 2002 to 2007, Heath Warren loved being able to fix things and solve problems, skills he transferred to the independent home improvement channel. Currently, Warren is the maintenance technician for …