A big show gets bigger in 2018

3/6/2018
In many ways, the National Hardware Show will celebrate great brands. In other ways, it’s designed to help dealers discover unknown players that have yet to hit the market.

Such diversity of mission comes with the territory at the North American hardware industry’s biggest event of the year. Set for the Las Vegas Convention Center from May 8 to 10, the big show will launch new products at the aptly named “New Product Launch” in the Central Lobby. Meanwhile, the North and Central halls will hum with national and international brands.

From Briggs & Stratton and Black Mamba Gloves to Hickory Hardware and Honey-Can-Do, vendors on the show will offer merchandising ideas, buying opportunities and money-saving deals. The company expects to ride the rising optimism within the home improvement industry and build on last year’s participation when the show drew more than 30,000 industry professionals.

National Hardware Show attendees have a variety of reasons to attend the Las Vegas event. Their motives are as individual as their business, but there are several common denominators, according to the organizers of the event.

For instance, 83% of attendees say new products/categories are the primary reason to attend. And these aren’t just lookie lous, 86% said they plan on purchasing and sourcing new products when they attend. And 28% of attendees estimate an annual budget of more than $10 million for products and services seen at the show.

The something-for-everyone feel of the show is on display by the variety of events and featured areas.

  • The Ultimate Backyard Experience. This feature will inject a real, backyard flavor into the popular outdoor exhibit area offering attendees an engaging way to experience new products in the environment they are intended for—the great outdoors.

  • Smart Home Virtual Reality Experience. Also new, riding a trend that bridges consumer electronics and home improvement, this new area will feature a virtual Smart Home tour and interactive display.

  • The American Manufacturing Awards will once again highlight the cream of the crop of domestic products on display in the Central Lobby.

  • The Lawn, Garden & Outdoor Living Awards product display will focus on innovative products.


One traditional attraction of the National Hardware Show is the ability to network and learn from peers and experts. Among the movers and shakers lined up to participate in Las Vegas is Jason Ballard, co-founder and president of TreeHouse, the home improvement retailer that describes itself as the “world’s first home upgrade company.”

Also lined up to speak is Jules Pieri, co-founder and CEO of The Grommet, a website that has launched more than 2,500 consumer products since 2008. Ace Hardware Corp. purchased The Grommet in 2017.

Both are participating in the 2018 NRHA All-Industry Conference in partnership with the National Hardware Show.

The show runs on a Tuesday to Thursday schedule. Visit nationalhardwareshow.com for information, schedules and exhibitors.

“In addition to bringing the industry together to unveil those new products, new companies and inventions, the National Hardware Show is proud to honor some of the best and brightest ideas and new products coming to market each year,” said Rich Russo, industry VP of the National Hardware Show.
X
This ad will auto-close in 10 seconds