National Hardware Show recap

Home improvement experts, builders, remodelers and other industry leaders and professionals from all over the world recently gathered at the Las Vegas Convention Center for the 74th edition of the National Hardware Show (NHS). This year’s show boasted several interactive experiences, featured product displays, networking opportunities and more for attendees and exhibitors alike to learn about the latest the industry has to offer.  

“The 2019 National Hardware Show was a huge success because it created a variety of opportunities for professionals within the industry,” said Rich Russo, industry vice president of the National Hardware Show. “Each day, exhibitors, attendees and media got the chance to experience everything the home improvement industry has to offer all in one place. We are proud to host a show that is at the forefront of the industry and continues to provide inspiration, new ideas and connections, innovation and insight. It was inspiring for us to see so many industry professionals from all over the world come together here at NHS.”

Overall, the show featured brand new interactive experiences, featured areas and product displays as well as 40-plus conference sessions and more than 35 speakers. With more than 2,700 exhibitors – both nationally recognized brand names and emerging companies – across more than 15 different categories there was no shortage of must-see companies and products to explore.

Specialty areas

The Backyard Marketplace: Located in the Tailgate, Backyard & BBQ section of the Show, The Backyard Marketplace was a favored destination for attendees to relax, reenergize, grab some delicious treats, all while celebrating beloved outdoor living brands. This area was equipped with a variety of amenities including shade, a hydration station, food, music, entertainment and featured brands with products that are leaders and trendsetters in the outdoor lifestyle category. 

Tiny Living @ NHS: Designed specifically for professionals in the small living, modular and manufactured housing industries, Tiny Living @ NHS was the place to connect with and discover companies that specialize in this realm. As a growing industry, attendees, exhibitors and professionals alike, had the opportunity to check out the 15 tiny homes on display, as well as specific products and services for this growing trend for home buying. 

Interactive Smart Home: This year, NHS introduced its brand-new Interactive Smart Home in which attendees experienced first-hand some of the most talked about products in the category. As technology progresses, the Smart Home category becomes more prevalent in the home improvement and buying industry. Attendees were able to have a realistic and interactive experience in the environment the products were designed for. The Interactive Smart Home was in Central Hall and created a ton of buzz for the featured products from companies including La Crosse Technology, Vosker and Jiawei Technology.

Inventors Spotlight: New products, ideas and innovation continue to propel the home improvement industry and there is no better place to see this innovation than at NHS. At the show, attendees had an inside look at what may be the next big thing, product, or service to revolutionize the home improvement industry in the Inventors Spotlight section. This section not only gave attendees the chance to interact with products soon to be on the market, but also provided inventors the opportunity to meet with buyers and potential investors to get feedback on their products.  

Education and events

Industry-Leading Conferences: Front and center in the Central Hall Lobby, the NRHA All-Industry Conference kicked things off with a special keynote from John Hartmann, President and CEO, True Value Co.,  entitled “Unlocking True Value.” The keynote took place immediately following the NHS opening ceremony on the NRHA Village Stage and addressed how returning the majority of its members’ equity has offered retailers the opportunity to invest in their business as they know best, as well as how a new company structure has enabled True Value to accelerate strategic investments without cutting into retailers’ profits.  

Following Hartmann’s address, the NRHA All-Industry Conference featured 27 different sessions including the “Independent Innovations: How Retailers Are Differentiating” session which was moderated by Dan Tratensek of Hardware Retailing and the NRHA. The session offered attendees the chance to get an inside look at how independent home improvement retailers around North America are differentiating their operations through service merchandising, product selection and in-store experiences. 

Additionally, the lineup of speakers for the all-new Small Build & Technology Conference was jam-packed with a variety of all-star speakers covering several topics relevant to attendees from tiny living and community to trends and the transforming industry.  Arnold Stalk, founder & CEO of Veterans Village Las Vegas, and Gabrielle Rapport, founder and executive director of Operation Tiny Home, discussed a plethora of topics during their session entitled “Pathways to Eliminating Homelessness Through Tiny Housing Communities”. As an up and coming trend, Stalk and Rapport were able to shine a light on everything that comes with a tiny home including zoning, the tiny home building process from planning, to funding and project management.

Zack Giffin and John Weisbarth, co-hosts of Tiny House Nation, delivered a presentation entitled “Community Building with Purpose.” During their keynote, Giffin and Weisbarth defined the role of the small build and construction technology industries in bringing affordable and sustainable housing to communities throughout the world. 

CCCME Opening Ceremony: The China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products (CCCME) hosted its opening ceremony on May 7, which focused on all things importing and exporting. The CCCME is a nonprofit organization composed of companies, which registered in China and are engaged in the foreign trade of machinery and electronic products. NHS is proud to have hosted members of the CCCME who continue to provide coordination, guidance, consultation and service to its members. 

Annual Tailgate, Backyard & BBQ Party The annual Tailgate, Backyard & BBQ party was once again a fan favorite. Located in the Las Vegas Convention Center’s Silver parking lot, the party took place on a beautiful afternoon and provided badged NHS participants with free food, drinks and music. The event gave attendees the chance to experience a variety of different product in what felt like their own backyard.

New Product World: In New Product World, attendees discovered the newest products released in the last 12 months, as well as trends across all product categories. New Product World displays were located in both the Central and North Halls and boasted winners (in each category) for the NHS Awards program.

Media Hub: This year, NHS hosted a Satellite Media Tour with Design Expert Kelly Edwards from its new Media Hub located in the Central Hall, booth #2636. The tour highlighted a variety of hot products from brands including 3M, Traeger Grills, Snow Joe, Maglite and Westinghouse. The Hub also hosted popular home improvement outlets including The Money Pit and On The House with The Carey Brothers, who broadcasted from the Hub on May 8, offering interactive, fun and lively content right from the Show Floor.  

Women’s Empowerment Series: From Startup to Stardom: In the first edition of this NHS series, attendees were introduced to two very successful female entrepreneurs including Sandy Cleary, founder & CEO of SLC Group Holdings and Casey Finn, editor and creative director of The DIY Playbook. The series offered attendees the opportunity to hear about their risks, rewards, failures and success over breakfast. The conversation was moderated by Dara Trujillo, CMO of SLC Group Holdings, and former Disney and HSN Executive.

Industry awards  

NHS offers a platform in which top performing companies in the industry are honored for their achievements. During this year’s show, the best of the best in the industry were honored through the NHS Awards, American Manufacturing Awards, NRHA Top Gun Awards and more.

NHS Awards Winners: 

Hardware & Tools 

First Place – GenTent Safety Canopies; The GenTent Stormbracer 

Second Place – BCS International; S4001 Stanley Universal Tie-Down Kit 

Third Place – ResinFiber; Forj Thermoplastic Tape – Ribbon  

Plumbing & Electrical 

First Place – Juka Innovations Corporation; ToiletShroom Revolutionary Plunger 

Second Place – Mr. Cool; MrCool DIY Ductless Mini-Split Heat Pump  

Third Place – Sencentric; SimpleSENCE Home Leak and Freeze Detector 

Lawn, Garden & Outdoor Living/Tailgate, Backyard & BBQ 

First Place – Dynamic Solutions Worldwide; DynaTrap DOT – a Discreet Outlet Trap  

Second Place – Pet Partners Worldwide; My Pet Pail  

Third Place – Seedsheet; Seedsheet Mini Herbs Smart Garden  

Homewares 

First Place – ITSmart Security LLC; The Motorola Smart Safes  

Second Place – Stop The Slip; LED Night Light Grab Rails  

Third Place – Absorbent Specialty Products; Quick Dam Indoor Water Control 

Solutions  

Paint & Accessories 

First Place – Nix Sensor Ltd; Nix Mini Color Sensor 

Second Place – Shurtech Brands LLC; Frog Tape Touch Up Cup  

Third Place – J-B Weld Company; J-B Weld Clear Weld  

New Product Launch 

First Place – Twist and Seal; Rhino Cart  

Second Place – National Hardware; G-Rex Adjustable Bungee Cord 

Third Place – Dynamic Solutions Worldwide LLC; DynaTrap Dot 

America Manufacturing Awards Winners: 

• Best Packaging – Bloem, LLC; ‘Merica Mingos 
• Best On-Site Patriotic Marketing – Duke Cannon Supply Company; Premium Men’s Grooming Goods 
• Best New Product – Eagle Tool US; Dirt Auger System and New Market Apparel, WorkArmor Gloves

NRHA Top Gun Awards Winners:

• Charlie Gillman, Owner and President, Gillman Home Center 
• Christine Hand, Handyman Home Hardware 
• Mark Schulein, Crown Ace Hardware 

NRHA Retailers’ Choice Award Winners: 

Brazos Walking Sticks, Healthsmart International

LED+ Speaker Bulb, GE Lighting

Re-Grip Handle Multi Tool Handle Grip, Preval

RunOff Waterproof Pocket, Nite Ize

Magnetic Finger Tool, TurnPro Magnetic Finger

Hard Water Stain Remover, Bio-Clean Products

Rhino Cart, Rhino Cart/Twist and Seal

Behrens Metalware Mug, Behrens Manufacturing Company

Legacy Old Favorite Hat, Legacy/League-L2 Brands

Rite in the Rain All-Weather Notebook, Rite in the Rain

TRIGGERFIRE Staple Gun, Surebonder

Bionic Wrench, LoggerHead Tools

Ooni Koda Gas-Powered Outdoor Pizza Oven, Ooni

Urbz, Mananaland LLC

HomeBiogas, HomeBiogas

Haultail, P.U.T. Corp/Global Strategist

Cart Daddy, Scrub Daddy

Drywall Axe, Pauze Innovations

GenTent, GenTent Safety Canopies

Fireplace Mantle, mywoodwall

Burro Buddy, The Little Burros

Raised Bed Planter, Tarter Farm and Ranch Equipment

Booster Bath, Booster Bath

Paint Edger, Emery Edgers

ThumbShield, ThumbShield

Slam Genie, No Slam Ltd.

Boxtown Team Carrier and Ladder Roller, Boxtown Team

Ladder-Aide Pro, Ladder-Aide by Ideal Security

Sink Genie “P” Trap, P.F. Waterworks

Play Wood Connectors, Space Matters Srl/PlayWood

Marxmate Professional Marking Tool, GRIPIT

LED Light Package, ATX LED

Upcart Beast 2 in 1 400 Pound Hand Truck, UpCart

ScrewMagnet, ScrewMagnet

Save the date

The National Hardware Show will celebrate its 75th anniversary next year. It will be held May 5-7, 2020, at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Keep up to date throughout the year by visiting nationalhardwareshow.com.