The spirit of 'independents' lives at the show
The National Hardware Show has an unambiguous message for independent dealers: You are welcome.
When the three-day show kicks of Wednesday, May 4 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, dealers will be greeted with networking opportunities, educational seminars and a few special opportunities for independents.
“Independent retailers make up a large portion of the home improvement industry,” said Rich Russo, VP of the National Hardware Show. “From educational seminars, to exhibitors raising their hands to be identified as selling to independents, to product recommendations, there’s so much to offer the independent retailer at this Show, and we want to make sure the independents who attend can take full advantage of these opportunities.”
For instance: There’s a new on-site guide at the Show that showcases more than 1,000 exhibitors selling to the independent retailer. Additionally, a product-matching program will provide registrants a personalized list of exhibitors and products to help them more easily find what they’re looking for.
Show organizers offer a free NHS Mobile App. In addition to using it to plan their time at the Show, the app has a special section just for independent retailers that will guide them to specific exhibitors that focus on selling to independents.
And, in an effort to provide attendees with the most efficient and productive experience, the Show is introducing a new 411 hotline for attendees to call or text any questions they may have on getting around the Show floor, finding specific exhibitors and more.
"Independent retailers must work to become more united, and the National Hardware Show is the place where it all happens, regardless of our wholesaler affiliations,” said Will Aubuchon of Aubuchon Hardware, which is headquartered in Massachusetts and has more than 100 stores in six states.
