T O P 2 O

WHAT HAPPENED IN VEGAS
FLE
NATIONAL HARDWARE SHOW
IS TRULY NORTH AMERICAN
In May, Reed Exhibitions hosted the National Hardware Show in Las Vegas, co-located with the All-Industry
Convention of the North American Retail Hardware Association. Attendance at the show was in line with last year
and enjoyed a particularly strong Canadian presence.
A
s economic recovery in the U.S.
remains tentative, the prevailing
mood at the National Hardware
Show, held in Las Vegas from May 6-8, was
decidedly positive. Playing host to more
than 2,500 exhibitors, this year’s show—its
69th—drew steady traffic from buyers, dealers,
and agents, all looking for new products
while seeking to renew relationships
with existing vendors. In fact, the range of
North American brands at this year’s NHS
included Benjamin Moore, 3M, SC Johnson,
Craftsman, and for the first time in years,
Black+Decker. The event also showcased the
launch of some 600 new products.
In addition, 120 Canadian manufacturers
had booths at the show.
“Our Canadian attendance has always
been an important part of the National
Hardware Show,” said Richard Russo, vice
president of the National Hardware Show,
“and I’m proud to say our Canadian buyer
participation has increased from just under
200 attendees in 2010 to over 800 in 2013.”
Buyers, including the likes of Home
Depot Canada, BMR, Peavey, Home
Hardware, and Canadian Tire, were all
present in healthy numbers. Exhibitors
reported that the traffic was very good,
especially for the first day and a half of the
three-day event. But the show wasn’t just
good for meeting Canadian contacts; it was
a great vehicle for increasing business south
of the border and beyond.
While many Canucks were exhibiting,
many more were walking the show. Martin
Verret, general sales manager for Candiac,
Que.-based Techniseal, was there for the first
time, exploring the aisles as a visitor. “I like
the show. I like the design, with the booths
separated by category.” He also found the
critical mass of the show overall worthwhile.
Clockwise from top left: Steve Matz of
Louisiana Grills shows off the latest
in barbecues; Jeremy Lippenholz at
Black+Decker demonstrates a cleaning
tool that uses steam instead of chemicals
to kill germs; Apex Tool was celebrating the
150th anniversary of the Nicholson brand;
Gardner Bender’s eTEQ wifi inspection
camera gets behind walls with a fibre-optic
cable; Richard Elden at Dbest Products
with a line of collapsible wheeled carts.
“It has created a good opportunity to
have a conversation with the buyers. It has
an easy flow—and Techniseal will have to
be here [as an exhibitor] next year.”
42 THIRD QUARTER / 2014
Hardlines Home Improvement Quarterly
www.hardlines.ca