The National Hardware Show Announces NEW Programs to Inspire, Educate, and Connect the Industry

LAS VEGAS, Feb. 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Hardware Show (NHS), is thrilled to share its comprehensive line up for the 2025 show, with expanded and relevant topics, events and partnerships. Whether you're an experienced professional or just starting in the home improvement industry, the NHS conference programming delivers valuable insights and authentic networking opportunities to propel you and your business. 

The NHS Main Stage will offer topics such as uncovering key trends and innovations, use of AI (artificial intelligence) for growth, adapting marketing and storytelling to reach consumers, and impactful merchandising techniques in expert panel discussions and educational keynote sessions. The debut of How Women Rise in Hardware presented by NHS and Build Women program is an exciting new platform to empower and celebrate women professionals in the industry.

Full Schedule HERE

NHS Conference Programming Day ONE: Wednesday, March 18 (INFO HERE): 

NEW NHS How Women Rise in Hardware Program: Home Women Rise in Hardware Program is presented by NHS and Build Women is designed to empower women in the hardware and home improvement industries. (INFO HERE). 

The How Women Rise Awards Ceremony will recognize outstanding achievements and innovation among women in hardware and home improvement across a variety of exciting categories. This ceremony shines a spotlight on individuals and teams driving progress and excellence in the industry. Nominations are open and (can be submitted here).

Keynotes and Panels:

The Power of Building Your Personal Brand in a Male-Dominated Industry

• • Speaker: Stefanie Couch, Founder of Build Women

Building a Culture That Helps You Thrive as a Woman in Business

• • Speaker: Gina Schaefer, Co-Founder of A Few Cool Hardware Stores, Author of Recovery Hardware

Breaking Barriers: Overcoming Challenges in a Male-Dominated Industry

• • Moderator: Stefanie Couch, Founder of Build Women

Panelists:

• • Allison Flatjord, Vice President of Marketing and Ecommerce, Do it Best Corp.
  • Carol Crystal, Vice President, Merchandise LBM, Home Hardware Stores Limited
  • Christine VanOrmer, President, Dorel Home - Cosco

Special Session: How Women Rise: Overcoming Behaviors That Hold You Back
Stefanie Couch shares actionable advice inspired by the best-selling book by Sally Helgesen and Marshall Goldsmith.

NHS How Women Rise Awards Ceremony: Celebrate female trailblazers during the How Women Rise Awards Ceremony that honor achievements such as Innovator of the Year and Leadership Excellence Award. Networking cocktails follow directly on the show floor to celebrate the winners and foster authentic connections. 

MORE EVENTS MARCH 18:

Hands-On Grilling Experiences with Weber (INFO HERE) Discover the art of grilling with hands-on classes led by renowned Weber pitmasters Jason Pruitt and Madeline Rydz held.

NHPA Education Sessions (INFO HERE): NHPA will host the Foundations of Merchandising Management Series for Independent Retailers from March 18-19, designed to train team members in advanced product sourcing, merchandising and acquisition strategies. 

VIP Party at Allegiant Stadium (INFO HERE): To kick off the show in style with an unforgettable experience, a VIP reception will be hosted at Allegiant Stadium, offering an exclusive networking opportunity for industry leaders, exhibitors, and VIP attendees. 

NHS Influencer Summit (INFO HERE): This is THE event for content creators, on the NHS show floor to connect with brands, and build relationships. March with hashtag #NHS25.  

NEW NHS Conference Programming Day TWO: Wednesday, March 19 (INFO HERE): 

Sessions will cover data-driven remodeling insights, impactful merchandising strategies, the transformative role of AI (artificial intelligence) in retail personalization, and more. From industry research to creative marketing strategies, these sessions provide key learning that will help elevate your business strategies and engage your customers.

SESSIONS INCLUDE:

The Evolution of Home Style: 10 Years of Data on Remodeling Trends with Houzz

• • Speaker: Marine Sargsyan, Head of Economic Research, Houzz

Session Overview: Which home design trends will stand the test of time? Join Marine Sargsyan, Head of Economic Research at Houzz, as she shares exclusive insights from more than a decade of research in the Houzz community of over 70 million homeowners and home design enthusiasts and over 3 million industry professionals. This session will explore how America's aging housing stock is shaping renovation priorities and trace the evolution of key design choices—from timeless kitchen and bathroom preferences to innovations in sustainability and universal design. Discover practical insights from Houzz data to see what homeowners truly value in creating a home that lasts.

Top Trends, Threats, and Opportunities in the US and Internationally

• • Moderator: Craig Webb - President, Webb Analytics

Panelists:

• • John W. Herbert - General Secretary, EDRA/GHIN
  • Grant Farnsworth - President, Senior Consultant, The Farnsworth Group

Session Overview: Curious about what's ahead for hardware and DIY sales in 2024? Join a panel of industry experts as they explore U.S. sales prospects and how they compare globally, uncover online trends from around the world that could unlock new opportunities, and discuss European regulations and innovations poised to shape the hardware and DIY landscape both overseas and in the U.S. Discover the shared challenges faced worldwide and the creative solutions driving success, with actionable insights to help you navigate the year ahead.

Merchandising for Impact

• • Moderator: Dan Tratensek, COO and Publisher, NHPA

Panelists: 

• • Jim Rivas - President of Tyndale Advisors, Orgill
  • Tony Corsberg - Principal, Merchant 5 Advisors

Session Overview: The North American Hardware and Paint Association will share the latest results from its groundbreaking Merchandising for Profit study for the first time. This study, sponsored by the National Hardware Show, takes a closer look at a variety of in-store merchandising techniques and evaluates their effectiveness when it comes to driving sales. Gain real insights into whether your own merchandising is maximizing its potential impact. Attendees will also have the opportunity to listen to some of the industry's leading independent retailers share their merchandising best practices and more. 

50 Great Marketing and Ops Ideas in 50 Minutes

• • Speaker: Craig Webb - President, Webb Analytics

Session Overview: Craig Webb has spent the past 19 years visiting construction supply stores from Maine to Hawaii as well as overseas, always in search of inspiring ways to run stores and sell products better. In this fast-paced presentation, he'll update his 50 favorite management and marketing ideas. Don't care for the one you're hearing now? Wait a minute and the next one might make your whole trip worthwhile.

AI Unlocked: Personalization Strategies for Retail Growth

• • Speaker: Jennifer Shaheen, Founder and President, Technology Therapy® Group

Session Overview: AI is no longer just a buzzword; it has become an integral part of modern business operations. During this session, we will explore the stages of personalization and examine how major big box retailers are leveraging AI to create personalized, proactive, and predictive connections with their customers. We will provide actionable steps that you can implement to strengthen connections with your customers and enhance your competitiveness using AI.

Marketing to Different Age Groups: Mastering Communication Across Generations

• • Moderator: Brian Stearns, Founder/CEO, RingoFire

Panelists: 

• • Danny Meendering, Owner/Operator, ACE Hardware stores, NC Market
  • Brad Reeser, VP of Sales, Fortune Brands Innovations (Moen, Master Lock, etc.)
  • Lucinda Rinzel, Director of Marketing, APEX Tool Group
  • Michael Preus, Director of Engineering, LaunchPad X

Session Overview: An in-depth panel discussion that will focus exclusively on crafting messages and strategies that resonate with each demographic, from Boomers to Gen Z. This session will equip industry professionals with the tools and insights needed to effectively communicate with consumers from different generations, enhancing engagement and driving sales through tailored marketing strategies.

The Power of Storytelling: Inspiring and Connecting Through Earned, Paid and Social Media

• • Moderator: Kathryn Emery, 24+ Year Home Improvement & Lifestyle Storyteller

Panelists:

• • Sal Vaglica, In House Editor/Freelance Reporter for This Old House, Men's Journal, Wall Street Journal and many more
  • Chip Wade, National TV Host and Contributor for FOX & Friends, Yahoo!, and more
  • Chuck Matteo, Food Network Star & Influencer of Chuck's Flavor Train

Session Overview: Learn directly from industry titans who are telling stories on National Television, In Print / Online, and on Social Media now! They will lead a discussion about the importance and the art of crafting a story to get attention for your brand/product and how to get all media including earned media, paid media, and influencer partnerships (how to choose the right partner, and activate them) that will help you drive awareness and sales. Build your brand with the voices who are shaping the industry today. 

Strategies Applied by Retailers and Brands to Reduce Returns 

• • Tony Sciarrotta, Executive Director, The Reverse Logistics Association
  • Pascal Jacobs, Head of Business Line DYI, Home & Garden

Session Overview: The discussion will include improving the customer experience to reduce returns and ways to improve the returns process to increase asset recovery and options to avoid waste or landfill with returned goods.

MORE EVENTS MARCH 19:

NHS Annual Cook Off (INFO HERE): In the NHS Backyard, NHS Cook-off between top grilling brands and their expert chefs hosted by Food Network Star and Social Media Guru Chuck Matteo of Chuck's Flavor Train! Don't miss the chance to see talented chefs in action, demonstrating the flavors and flair that make grilling a cornerstone of modern home cooking.

NHPA Veterans Program: The North American Hardware and Paint Association (NHPA) Helmets to Home Improvement program is designed to honor the sacrifices Veterans have made with their service, as well as their contributions to our industry. NHPA will host a reception on-site at NHS where they will honor the Helmet to Home Improvement award winners and celebrate their achievements alongside industry peers.

NHS Prestigious Awards Ceremony: Innovation takes center stage as thousands of products compete for recognition in one of the industry's most celebrated award ceremonies. Honoring standout brands and products that prioritize consumer needs and revolutionary developments, the NHS awards spotlight the year's most-loved innovations that are reshaping the future of hardware. 

NHPA Awards: NHPA will also boast its Retailers' Choice Awards, which celebrate top manufacturers for their innovative solutions while giving retailers essential insights on products designed to captivate customers. 

Happy Hour Every Night in the NHS Backyard (5 to 7PM): Step into the heart of outdoor innovation at NHS Backyard! As the go-to destination for everything lawn, garden, farm, ranch, outdoor living, and grilling, NHS Backyard has it all, held at the Las Vegas Convention Center from March 18-20. Enjoy exploring new outdoor innovations as grilling masters serve up mouth-watering samples all day. Exhibitor list here. 

"At the National Hardware Show, we recognize that building a thriving industry goes beyond products and innovations—it's about creating a community where connections, partnerships, and shared ideas can flourish," said Hector Morfin, Event Leader for National Hardware Show. "By empowering professionals and celebrating achievements, we're not just supporting the industry—we're shaping the future of the hardware and home improvement industry together."

Registration is now open! For more details on the NHS programming schedule, speakers, and special event held in Las Vegas from Match 18-20, visit www.nationalhardwareshow.com and follow along at @nationalhardwareshow. 

Media Contact:
Kathryn Emery
(888) 425-9377
[email protected]

SOURCE National Hardware Show