NATIONAL HARDWARE SHOW REPORT Celebrating independents in Las Vegas An annual industry gathering prepares to raise the bar By HBSDealer Staff The 2017 National Hardware Show is set for Tuesday, May 9, to Thursday, May 11, in Las Vegas, and organizers are driven by a few simple and power- ful ideas: More is better, new is better and a $100,000 award can go a long way to help an independent dealer. Let’s start with that last concept first. Through the National Hardware Show’s new Reimagine Retail Program, the show is awarding $100,000 to one independent home improvement retailer to use for funding a business improvement project — for the future of a retail store or stores. How it works: Retailers submit a 500-word description highlighting what they would do to improve their busi- ness with $100,000. Winner takes it. Judges will be looking for projects that focus on four key business im- provement areas: store design, tech- nology, employees (training, retaining or recruiting, for instance) and prod- ucts. Together with the National Retail Hardware Association and a panel of industry professionals, the National Hardware Show will review the entries and determine which project is most worthy of winning the $100,000 award. Finalists will be provided transporta- tion to the National Hardware Show, and the winner will be announced during the show on May 10. For more information, visit nationalhardware- show.com/reimagineretail. When the curtain opens on the National Hardware Show, applause and the occasional standing ovation will echo throughout the Las Vegas Convention Center as leaders of the industry are honored for service and dedication, and products are recog- 16 nized for quality and innovation. The show’s awards range from the NRHA Top Gun Awards to the Made in USA — American Manufacturing Awards to the Lawn, Garden & Out- door Living Awards. “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 vice president of the National Hardware Show. This year is marked by quantity as well as quality, organizers say. The show floor will feature more than 750 new exhibitors, more than 150 inven- tors, and more than 150 Tailgate, Backyard & BBQ exhibitors featured outside the convention center. In what will at times take on the appearance of the city’s largest out- door party, the tailgate, backyard and BBQ area will once again set up in the parking lot near the main entrance of the show. This area has grown about 30% from previous years, according to show organizers, as the offering has expanded into outdoor sporting goods And the winner is ... Industry leaders and innovative products will be recognized by a long list of award ceremonies, including the following: 50 Campfires — The Camping Authority Awards Made in USA — American Manufacturing Awards Tailgater Magazine — Game Ball Awards Homewares Awards Lawn, Garden & Outdoor Living Awards New Product Launch Awards New Product World Awards NRHA Retailers’ Choice Awards NRHA Top Gun Awards Packaging & Merchandise Awards UIA Inventors Spotlight Awards NHS continued on page 18 MARCH 2017 HARDWARE + BUILDING SUPPLY DEALER HBSDealer.com