Retail Observer

RETAILOBSERVER.COM JANUARY 2022 12 Cook-Off hosted by Ukiah, with some of the best flavors I've ever experienced. The energy, events, products and people that came out for NHS made it amazing to be back in person. I'm already looking forward to April 2022! " MADE IN USA Made in USA featured domestic, best-in-class products and services that value high labor standards, top-quality manufacturing and safer products that keep Americans working. Featured exhibitors included Big Gator Tools, Flex-Safe USA, Lasko Products, Shurtape Technologies, Warp Brothers and more. AREA 75 To celebrate the 75th edition of the National Hardware Show, the 2021 event featured Area 75 – a curated exhibit commemorating each decade within NHS's history. The installation took attendees down memory lane, showcasing nostalgia-inducing home trends, vintage tools, products, past event directory programs and more, truly showing the evolution of the industry and the Show! NHPA ALL-INDUSTRY CONFERENCE Co-located with NHS, the North American Hardware and Paint Association (NHPA) All-Industry Conference consisted of educational seminars, networking opportunities and awards programs. This year's Conference focused on supporting independent retailers' evolution with a variety of presentations from retailers, subject matter experts and wholesaler and manufacturer representatives. Key sessions and speakers that took place, included: • KEYNOTE : Locked on Leadership: The Secret to Self- Directed Teams – Presenter: Dave Rosenberg, Speaker, Podcaster and Author • Young Retailer Insights: The Future of Retail – Panelists: Robin Smith, Vice President, Petersburg Hardware; Cody Goeppner, Director, Bleyhl Co-op; and Jonathan South, Manager, Teghtmeyer Ace Hardware • A Supplier's Perspective – Panelists: Charlotte Mustard, Director of Marketing, Sashco Sealants; Geff Lynch, President, Lancaster; and Paul Green, Chief Merchandising & Procurement Officer, True Value • KEYNOTE: The New Normal for Kitchen and Bath – Presenter: Bill Darcy, CEO, National Kitchen and Bath Association • KEYNOTE : Focus on the Customer and the Employees as a Person – Presenter: Alex Genov, Head of Customer Research, Zappos • Look Good, Feel Good, Do Good: Taking Care of People & Business – Presenter: Rich Benninghoff, President and CEO, Malco Products, SBC • Top-Down Sustainability – Presenter Josh Prigge, Consultant, Sustridge Consulting • E-Commerce: What I Wish I Knew Then – Presenter: Jake Wilson, Director of Marketing & eCommerce, Wilco • The New Paradigm for Home Improvement – Presenters: Dan Tratensek, NHPA; and Grant Farnsworth, President, The Farnsworth Group Award recipients included three Top Gun Award winners – retailers who are growing their operations through strategic leadership with consideration for their communities and teams: • Mike Brackin, President, HomCo Lumber & Hardware • Ian McNaughton, Owner, Gravenhurst Home Hardware • Greg Templeman, President, Sunpro Additionally, a panel of independent retailers chose 40 Retailers' Choice Award winners from thousands of products on display at NHS. Recorded content will be available on NHS Connects soon! SUSTAINABILITY The 75th edition of NHS was the most sustainable yet, with help from the Las Vegas Convention Center's water conservation and energy efficient light initiatives, plus an events contractor, Freeman, that helped deliver positive social and environmental impact. Specifically, NHS swapped out paper for a digital directory, used reusable, sustainably sourced signage and eliminated aisle carpet to reduce CO2 emissions. SAVE THE DATE NHS revealed the dates for its 2022 Show, set for April 5-7, once again in the West Hall at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Stay tuned for more information! RO BACK TO BUSINESS: NATIONAL HARDWARE SHOW ®

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