10 people, 10 products, 10 trends in the Vegas spotlight
The home improvement industry calls Las Vegas home for three days in May. That’s when the National Hardware Show is in town, kicking off with a marching band and confetti explosion on Tuesday morning May 6.
What happens over the next three days and nights is all up to the individual attendee — and there will be about 27,000 professionals networking in and around the Las Vegas Convention Center.
The National Hardware Show cleverly promoted itself as 15 shows in 1 in 2014, with new areas of emphasis — emergency preparedness and energy efficiency among them.
The event’s popular Tailgate section, which has grown steadily over the years, is back with more activities, and a soon-to-be announced Tailgate product of the year. And educational sessions range from social media skills to Affordable Care Act awareness.
The following pages have the people, the trends and the products that will be part of the discussion. And in this case, what happens in Vegas will continue to impact retailers and manufacturers throughout the year.
—The editors
PEOPLE
Ron Beal
The Home Channel Hall of Fame will induct a new member during the National Hardware Show.
Orgill chairman, president and CEO Ron Beal will join the prestigious circle of industry leaders during a poolside Golden Hammer Awards Ceremony May 6 at the LVH – Las Vegas Hotel & Casino. Gates open at 4:30.
The award — to be presented this year by Midwest Fasteners — recognizes an individual who has shown dedication to the home improvement industry throughout his career, who has a made a difference in the lives of his colleagues and who represents the best of the industry.
“It is a surprise to receive such an honor, which reflects the hard work of all the people I’ve worked with through the years at Orgill,” Beal said. “It’s a very humbling award when you consider all the great names in the Hall of Fame.”
In the Home Channel Hall of Fame, Beal joins recent honorees Ray Griffith (Ace Hardware) and Bob Taylor (Do it Best), as well as the founding members Bernie Marcus (Home Depot), Arthur Blank (Home Depot), Joe Hardy (84 Lumber) and Joe Orgill, who preceded Beal in the role of Orgill CEO.