Flame King: 1 lb Refillable Propane Cylinder & Kit,
Bronze: Swan Products, LLC: Swan® Swivel & Honorable
Mention: Dr. Earth: Final Stop.
The New Product Launch featured new products
that have not hit the market, have no pre-negotiations or
pre-sales and no exclusives. Also, The New Product
World featured products that are just breaking into the
industry. Scott Brun, VP of Programming, DIY Network
reviewed and identified the 2017 award winners.
This year, one independent retailer walked home
from the Show with more than just great ideas, but also
$100,000 from winning the Reimagine Retail program,
which is sponsored by the National Hardware Show®.
More than 100 Independent Retailers from across the
country and Canada submitted their innovative ideas and
visions for the future of their retail business for a chance
to win $100,000 to make those visions reality. Caribou
Jack's Trading Co. in Soda Springs, Idaho, was
announced as the winner of the program. Owner Robert
Lau and his staff will use the money to build an in-store
cafe, where they can host grilling and cooking events
and provide a space for members of the community to
use at no charge. Their journey will be documented and
shared in the coming months.
For an overview of the awards and winners, visit
nationalhardwareshow.com/awards
Paint and Decorating Retailers Association
(PDRA)
PDRA presented its ninth annual $5,000 scholar-
ship, which is awarded to a high school senior or a
college student nominated by a PDRA member in good
standing.
This year, the winner was Jennifer Fick, a junior at
Missouri State University and color consultant at Semi-
nole Design Center in Seminole, Missouri. She’ll be using
the scholarship toward an internship with Seminole
Design Center.
NRHA All-Industry Conference
The Show partnered with the North American Retail
Hardware Association (NRHA), the association present-
ing its All-Industry Conference at the NRHA Village. The
conference offered seminars on topics from understand-
ing the mind of consumers to helping retailers discover
how they can set themselves apart through strong and
personalized customer services.
Product Review and Vetting
The Product Review & Vetting program is a unique
way for exhibitors to get their products before an
exclusive audience of distributors, co-ops and other retail
businesses.
Exhibitors turned in product samples and entries
before the Show opened, and were reviewed throughout
the following three days.
It’s clear there is so much to see & do while at the
Show—there was no better place to experience the
newest tailgate, backyard & BBQ products (from patio
furniture & decorations, to tents, grills & pizza ovens and
more) than at the Tailgate, Backyard & BBQ area, located
in the Silver Lot. Attendees get to see these products in
the outdoor environment they’re meant for,
Save the date!
Mark your calendars for the 2018 National Hardware
Show— taking place Tuesday, May 8 – Wednesday, May
10 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Learn more at
.
w w w . I M B 2 B . c o m
TRADE SHOW REVIEW
121
