National Hardware Show Launches New Digital Platform

The National Hardware Show is introducing NHS Connects, a new year-round digital tool featuring content designed specifically for the hardware and home improvement industry.

In keeping with the National Hardware Show’s tradition of uniting the industry, NHS Connects enables networking and business opportunities leading up to the show, which is slated for Sept. 1-3 in Las Vegas.

Set to roll out in the coming weeks, NHS Connects provides retailers, wholesalers, distributors, suppliers and manufacturers with regularly updated digital content designed specifically for the hardware and home improvement industry.

Show attendees can use NHS Connects to stay informed on leading industry topics and education and schedule direct appointments with leading suppliers and manufacturers. In addition, they can use NHS Connects to source new, trending products while expanding current product offerings. Together with NHS Connects, the Show will provide the tools needed to equip customers, empower businesses and engage with industry leaders.

“We understand the significant impact the National Hardware Show has on our customers’ business especially during this unprecedented time in which hardware and home improvement stores are considered essential. Our new online platform enables exhibitors and attendees to get the most out of the Show through creating a resource for community, connection and innovation,” says Rich Russo, industry vice president for the National Hardware Show.

Russo says above all, the app enables meaningful connections between channel partners.

“NHS Connects reimagines sourcing strategies and encourages industry leaders to stay united with manufacturers and brands not only during the Show but throughout the year. The platform will provide a plethora of resources that benefit all attendees to help increase productivity and maximize efficiency,” he says.

NHS Connects will be comprised of a variety of informational sessions. Visitors have access to the year-round online resources including scheduled and pre-recorded webinars, virtual education and panels hosted by NHS industry partners, health and wellness classes and more.

NHS Connects Content

With the constantly changing COVID-19 situation around the world, NHS seeks to provide attendees with the most up-to-date, helpful information from Reed Exhibitions and key industry partners. To help the hardware community navigate these unprecedented times and unite through strength, NHS is offering webinars, panels and more.

Reed Exhibitions Webinar: Navigating the CARES Act for Small Businesses: Reed Exhibitions external legal advisor, Duane Morris LLP’s COVID-19 Strategy Team has been closely monitoring developments and advising clients on the complex legal issues and far-reaching implications of the pandemic.  In this webinar, Duane Morris’ Sandra Stoneman and Nanette Heide provide an overview of these benefits and protections. 

The Farnsworth Group: COVID-19 on Home Improvement Behaviors – DIY Edition: The Farnsworth Group delves into the impact of COVID-19 on home improvement behaviors and the DIY community.

PDRA: Tips from Lancaster to Help Your Business During COVID-19 and Financial and Business Resources, The CARES Act: The Paint & Decorating Retailers Association offers insight on how to help your business during COVID-19 including information on loans, guides, applications and more. PDRA members have access to training courses as well as informational industry webinars.

Hardware Retailing/North American Retail Hardware Association: Global Resources; Navigating Business Decisions During A Pandemic: The North American Retail Hardware Association (NRHA) and Hardware Retailing are committed to bringing timely, actionable information to independent operators across North America. Find the latest news, workplace safety guides and operational best practices to steer your operation, motivate your team and connect with your community.

The Retail Observer: A Guide on How to Transition Field Service Staff to Work from Home: The Retail Observer provides readers with some tips and high-level guidance for what you need to review at your company and some of the tools that other businesses have used to make the work-from-home transition successful.

Green Profit: Retail Strategies for Responding to COVID-19: Green Profit offers a variety of tips to keep businesses running and top of mind during these uncertain times. Payroll Protection Refunding Rules, A First Look at Coronavirus Survival, A Checklist of Ideas for Retail are among the many resources attendees can tap into.

HomeWorld Business: Webinar: Business and Logistics During COVID-19: HomeWorld Business editor-in-chief Peter Giannetti moderated the first webinar, featuring three home and housewares suppliers who shared how they are guiding their companies through the day-to-day challenges of this COVID-19 crisis with a strategic eye on being better prepared when the recovery begins.

Networking on NHS Connects

NHS Connects furthers attendees and exhibitors’ ability to utilize NHS matchmaking programs to communicate and set up appointments directly through the platform. Additionally, knowing the current environment surrounding COVID-19, NHS is connecting manufacturers and suppliers who are producing personal protective equipment (PPE) with retailers and wholesalers who are in need of it:

Jublia:  NHS is also utilizing a NEW technology called Jublia to help facilitate direct appointment setting for buyers and retailers with NHS suppliers and manufacturers. This enables business to continue between now and the Show in September. To use Jublia, there will be a simple login/profile creation process during which NHS will assist in getting each up-and-running using information from Show registration and the Exhibitor Dashboard.

PPE Market: As a part of NHS Connects, the NHS team has launched a new, dedicated matchmaking program specifically for retailers and distributors in need of PPE by connecting them with manufacturers a part of the NHS community that are currently supplying PPE products. The Show is constantly adapting to customers’ needs and the launch of this program reflects the continued dedication to industry professionals and beyond.

Products: NHS Connects will boast a new products feature that will display products set to launch at the Show in all areas of the show floor. This will ensure that exhibitors have a platform to launch products and gain exposure while buyers have visibility to sourcing new products and trends.

New Products Feature: This section of the NHS Connects platform will showcase all companies that are a part of the NHS awards, in addition to Made in USA, New Product Launch and New Product World.

Register Today

Registration for the 2020 Show is now open and members of the industry, retailers, as well as members of the press, are encouraged to sign up now and experience everything that NHS has to offer. Registration for buyers and retailers is free from now until the Show at www.nationalhardwareshow.com.

The NRHA’s All-Industry Conference will take place alongside the Show, bringing educational and operations insights to all independent retailers.