Sizeable increase

The organisers of the National Hardware Show, which was held in Las Vegas from 4- 6 May 2010, have announced that visitor attendance was 20 per cent up on the previous year, without actually naming any definite figure. Ed Several, group vice president of Reed Exhibitions, sees this significant increase as an optimistic sign for the home improvement sector. The exhibitor figure came to more than 2 600. The organisers had introduced a whole lot of new ideas. These included not just one but several special areas for new products. One in particular was dedicated to “green” products. What is more, the hall planning displayed a much stronger departmental layout. Also new was the “Investors’ Showcase” section for product ideas that are waiting for an investor to discover them, then bring them to market. Next year’s fair is to be held from 10 – 12 May, when the North American Retail Hardware Association will hold its annual convention in conjunction with the show. As the host association, it will also incorporate the International Hardware Association’s biennial convention into the 2011 National Hardware Show. Download: