Las Vegas end on a positive note

With more than 2 300 exhibitors, heavy attendance and more than twice the exhibit space of the AHMA Hardware Show held in Chicago in April, there was no doubt which was the industry’s preferred show.
Between 10 and 12 May the National Hardware Show (NHS) occupied a space of 44 500 m² in the Sands Convention Center, around 60 per cent of the total being taken up by Lawn & Garden World, where garden furniture was especially in evidence. The assortment of products in the power tools, small hardware and wood categories was relatively poor overall. There were 600 new or returning exhibitors at the Las Vegas show, according to Rob Cappiello, industry vice president of NHS. International suppliers mainly presented their products on group stands. Firms from Asia were very strong represented this year, accounting for 35 per cent of the total. Although the show boasted more space and exhibitors than last August’s event, it did not equal the record-setting years back in 1999 and 2000.
Attractive for international visitors
The exhibitors in Las Vegas described show traffic as excellent, citing buyers from domestic giants such as Home Depot, Lowe’s, Ace and Tru Serv, as well as international giants such as B&Q and Hornbach. Crowds thronged the aisles, and even on the last day traffic was not disappointing. Las Vegas apparently proved to be a more interesting venue for international visitors than Chicago. Buyers were pleased with the broader choice of vendors to be found in Las Vegas. One chain reported placing twice as many orders on the first day than they did in three days in Chicago.
More than 2 300 suppliers were represented at the first National Hardware Show held in Las Vegas.
xtensive educational program
With an extensive seminar program aimed at both manufacturers and retailers, this year’s National Hardware Show proved to be an industry educational experience as well as a bustling trade show. Topics ranged from international trends to the role (and costs) of in-store servicing demanded by domestic retail chains. Seminars ran from eight to ten o’clock before the show opened.
Outlook for 2005
The National Hardware Show will be celebrating its 60 th anniversary next year in Las Vegas from 17 to 19 May. It will be combined with the Gourmet Products Show, which will offer high-end household products including cookware, kitchen gadgets, cutlery, specialty and tabletop appliances, decorative accessories, kitchen textiles and cookbooks. As a specialty show, the…