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When attendees from across the channel gather this August for the Independent Home Improvement Conference (IHI Conference) in Marco Island, Florida, they will be in for quite the reception as industry distributors Orgill and Do it Best will be inviting everyone to attend a beach-themed event celebrating independent retailers.
The IHI Conference is scheduled for August 27-29 and will bring together independent retailers from across North America with manufacturers, distributors and other channel partners to engage in networking, educational sessions and activities.
“The spirit of the event is to provide independent retailers with a great opportunity to learn from industry experts and each other and engage with other channel partners who are focused on helping the independent segment of the channel thrive,” says Bob Cutter, CEO of the North American Hardware and Paint Association (NHPA), which produces the event together with The Hardware Conference.
“We are thrilled that Orgill and Do it Best would step forward to not only support the event as distributor sponsors but also make this effort to celebrate the hard work and importance of the independent retailers serving communities across North America,” says Craig Cope of The Hardware Conference.
The celebration will take place on Wednesday, August 28th, following a full day of educational sessions, networking and events.
Orgill is hosting the Celebration of Independents, with Do it Best sponsoring the music and entertainment for the event.
The beach-themed evening will include indoor and outdoor activities, food buffets, drinks and locally themed live music. IHI Conference guests can relax and watch the sunset with industry friends or grab a drink and dance the night away, according to event organizers.
“Independent retailers deserve to be celebrated, and we felt the IHI Conference was the ideal place for us to hold an event like this,” says Boyden Moore, Orgill’s president and CEO. “It’s an event that is all about elevating independent retailers regardless of their affiliations, and this will be a celebration honoring that spirit. We started this tradition last year at the event in Dallas when we invited everyone to join us for an evening at the world-famous Gilley’s. This year, we’re excited to have Do it Best join the party at the beach.”
More than 600 independent retailers and more than 100 manufacturers, distributors and channel partners are expected to attend the IHI Conference, which is being held at the JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort.
“Independent retailers are the backbone of our communities, and their success is vital to the health of the home improvement industry. At Do it Best, we’re dedicated to supporting and celebrating these hard-working entrepreneurs,” says Dan Starr, President and CEO, Do it Best. “The Independent Home Improvement Conference provides an excellent platform for learning, networking and recognition, and we are thrilled to provide the music and entertainment at the Independents Celebration. It’s a chance to recognize the resilience, innovation and community spirit that defines independent retailers across North America.”
About the Independent Home Improvement Conference:
The Independent Home Improvement Conference, a collaborative effort by the North American Hardware and Paint Association (NHPA) and The Hardware Conference, is the premier event uniting independent home improvement retailers from across the industry. Scheduled for August 27-29, 2024, at the JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort in Marco Island, Florida, the conference merges the networking, educational and award elements of both organizations’ flagship events. Attendees will benefit from high-energy keynote speakers, targeted breakout sessions and extensive opportunities for engagement with industry vendors. With a focus on Retail Operations and Innovation (ROI), the conference aims to deliver actionable insights to help retailers enhance their operations and profitability. Learn more and register at ihiconference.org.
About Do it Best:
Based in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Do it Best is the only U.S.-based, member-owned comprehensive and fully integrated hardware, lumber and building materials buying cooperative in the home improvement industry. With annual sales of nearly $5 billion, Do it Best serves thousands of member-owned locations across the U. S. and in more than 50 other countries. For more information, visit doitbestonline.com and follow them on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X.
About Orgill:
Established in 1847 and headquartered in Collierville, Tennessee, Orgill is the world’s largest independently owned hardlines distributor with annual sales exceeding $3.7 billion. Orgill provides products and services to over 13,000 retail locations throughout the U.S. covering all 50 states, all Canadian provinces and territories, as well as over 50 additional countries. Orgill serves a diverse range of businesses, including hardware stores, home centers, professional lumber dealers and farm stores. For additional information, please visit www.orgill.com.
