National Hardware Show aligns management team

Show returns to Las Vegas in May

-- Casual Living, 1/21/2008 12:24:00 PM

The National Hardware Show has aligned its management team to focus efforts on the customer experience through enhanced programming, strengthening key partnerships and alliances and identifying and cultivating new retail visitor growth. 
       
Dennis MacDonald, senior vice president, will continue to oversee the overall strategic brand development for the National Hardware Show while Dean Russo, senior vice president, joins the team with responsibilities for day-to-day business and financial operations.
       
In addition, a new position was created for Sonya Ruff Jarvis, former marketing director. As executive director of industry relations, Ruff Jarvis will cultivate a network of industry experts, opinion leaders, associations and key retail channel relationships to more actively engage them in the show and create show content programming to fit their needs. She also will continue to develop the educational program.
            
“With this management alignment, the National Hardware Show will better serve the needs of its customers through relevant, customized programming,” Russo said. “We are excited to present these in 2008 in Las Vegas.”
            
Plans for the 63rd National Hardware Show, featuring Lawn & Garden World, Homewares and New Product World, are well underway as the global retail home enhancement event returns to Las Vegas, May 6-8, to occupy the entire Las Vegas Convention Center. To date, the show is more than 80% sold out. 
            
The combined events will offer home channel retailers of all sizes a comprehensive preview of the retail home enhancement marketplace, including special product areas focused on green products, new product inventions and a comprehensive presentation of the global marketplace.      
            
New and expanded programs will be on tap for this year’s event. These include customized “Open to Buy” days with mass, high volume and independent retailers; a comprehensive international retailer program including an international reception, forum and store tours; and a partnership with the North American Retail Hardware Association designed to create and provide customized experiences for independent retailers.
            
In addition, special events and award program favorites will be returning such as:

* Golden Hammer Awards
* Popular Mechanics Editors Choice awards
* Retailer of the Year Awards
* New Product World
* National television programs featuring National Hardware Show episode taping

            
The show draws international companies from all over the world, including Australia, Canada, China, Columbia, Denmark, Dominican Republic, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, New Zealand, Pakistan, Poland, Philippines, Spain, Taiwan, Turkey, United Kingdom and Vietnam. More than 1,000 international companies exhibited at last year’s event from virtually every continent.
            
For more information and updates on the 2008 National Hardware Show, visit www.nationalhardwareshow.com. Media registration is now open.