LAS VEGAS — The 2024 National Hardware Show (NHS), which was held from March 26 to 28 at Las Vegas Convention Centerwas 50% larger in net square footage than its 2023 edition. More than 1,500 retailers, wholesalers and other home improvement industry professionals exhibited at the show, approximately 500 more than in 2023.
“The biggest change was that we were able to fully welcome back international visitors for the first time since the pandemic,” said Beth Casson, RX Global The group vice-chairman said: “The NHS has seen a return of many local buyers, but is also starting to welcome buyers from different channels and different age groups. One of the trends we’re seeing across the sector is that trade show attendees are becoming younger as workplace roles change… We were very pleased to hear from sellers that the quality of the buying public was strong.”
The NHS also invited some professionals from the sector, including: carpenters, electricians and general contractors — for the first time in 2024.
“We are hearing more and more that our vendors/exhibitors are targeting end users…so to give them more exposure to that audience, we have hosted industry professionals. Through this, we are also able to share industry professional perspectives with our retail universe so they can stock their shelves more effectively,” Casson explained.
Improved organization, programming and networking
In response to feedback from exhibitors and attendees, the NHS was held in March this year (it was held from 31 January to 2 February in 2023 and from 5 to 7 April in 2022).
“The feedback has been positive and everyone has enjoyed the good weather a lot more!” Casson said, adding that the NHS is expected to keep the period going until 2028.
Community feedback has also prompted the NHS to propose new exhibitor categories in 2024, including sporting goods and outdoor recreation, gifts and crafts and hobbies.
“Every year, we ask our buyers what different types of products they would like to see and we work to organize the floor plan accordingly,” Casson explained, adding that this customer-centric approach has also influenced the programming.
“Our aim this year was to deliver programmes to different participant groups within the NHS community. For example, the Independent Retail Centre was a new initiative on which we partnered with a long-standing partner The North American Hardware and Paint Association (NHPA) where we hosted roundtables specifically focused on the challenges facing independent retailers.
“We also launched the first NHS Executive Summit with keynote speeches from Ernst and Young, Houzz and the Reverse Logistics Association which focuses on consumer trends, purchasing behaviors, merchandising strategies, home projects and sustainability,” Casson said.
Additionally, the NHS has proposed two new networking features in 2024: NHS After Dark, a partnership with Jam pack where the NHS community enjoyed special rates at nightlife venues around Las Vegas and a VIP reception at Sphere which was sponsored by Help! Sterling International And Tangente Technologieswhich represents a shift in sponsorship towards more experiential opportunities that Casson noted for the NHS.
NHS 2025 will take place from 18 to 20 March.
“We will continue to invest in experiences and building connections during and after showtime,” Casson said.
Contact Beth Casson at beth.casson@rxglobal.com.