How to Prepare to Exhibit at National Hardware Show 2026: Tips for Exhibitors
About National Hardware Show 2026
The National Hardware Show 2026, now rebranded as NHS Concept to Commerce 2026, represents a bold transformation of this prominent event for the home improvement industry. Set in Las Vegas, the show has been completely reimagined with a more purposeful, outcome-driven format designed to accelerate product discovery and speed to market.
The 2026 event emphasizes innovation and industry connections, attracting a diverse audience from the global community. The show floor has been restructured into three focused exhibit hubs: an Expanded Inventor Pavilion, a Private Label (Global Manufacturing) Pavilion, and a Brand Pavilion for established and emerging products. New features include a Product Journey Experience and a Meetings & Recommendations Zone for curated buyer-supplier connections.
| National Hardware Show 2026 Facts and Statistics |
| Date: March 31–April 2, 2026 |
| Pre-Event: International Exhibitor Summit on March 30, 2026 |
| Venue: Las Vegas Convention Center (West Hall) |
| City/State: Las Vegas, Nevada |
| Official Name: NHS Concept to Commerce 2026 |
Who Attends National Hardware Show 2026?
Attendees of the National Hardware Show 2026 include a broad spectrum of professionals from the home improvement and DIY industry. This encompasses retailers, wholesalers, distributors, and manufacturers from various sectors such as hardware, tools, outdoor living, lawn and garden, paint, and more. The event serves as a meeting point for industry leaders and innovators, providing a platform for networking, learning about new trends, and discovering innovative products.
The reimagined 2026 format specifically targets product innovators, private-label developers, and sourcing professionals looking to bring products to market faster and more profitably.
How to Exhibit at National Hardware Show 2026?
To exhibit at the National Hardware Show 2026, interested parties should visit the official NHS Concept to Commerce website and complete an exhibitor inquiry form. This process involves providing company and contact information and specifying the nature of the products or services to be exhibited. The show organizers will then contact the exhibitor with more information, including booth options, pricing, and additional resources.
The 2026 show offers exhibitors the opportunity to participate in one of three strategic pavilions based on their business focus, allowing for more targeted connections with the right buyers and partners.
Why Exhibit at National Hardware Show 2026?
Exhibiting at the National Hardware Show 2026 offers numerous benefits, such as the opportunity to connect with a wide array of industry professionals, including retailers, wholesalers, and distributors. The reimagined format creates a more strategic environment for showcasing new products, enhancing brand visibility, and networking with key decision-makers in the home improvement sector.
The new structure accelerates product discovery and private label development, making it an ideal venue for:
- Launching innovative products to the market
- Connecting with private-label partners and global manufacturers
- Gaining insights into emerging industry trends and consumer preferences
- Expanding business reach through curated buyer-supplier meetings
- Building strategic partnerships that drive growth
Featured Programming and Sessions at NHS 2026
The National Hardware Show 2026 features an expanded educational program with fresh insights, expert-led sessions, and actionable takeaways.
Educational Programs
NHS Conference: The 2026 conference program focuses on consumer trends, go-to-market agility, and private-label execution. Sessions cover topics including:
- Market trends and merchandising strategies
- Private-label expansion strategies
- AI-driven product design and technology applications
- Supply chain strategy
- Go-to-market best practices
Foundations of Merchandising Management Live!: This program, run by the North American Hardware and Paint Association (NHPA), continues to train team members in advanced product sourcing, merchandising, and acquisition strategies. The program has been a regular feature at NHS and is expected to return for 2026.
Inventors Education: The expanded Inventor Pavilion signals continued support for inventor-focused education. NHS has traditionally partnered with the United Inventors Association (UIA) to offer inventor seminars and pitch opportunities for new product developers.
Exhibit Hubs and Special Features
Expanded Inventor Pavilion: A dedicated area for innovative products and inventors to showcase their creations and connect with potential partners.
Private Label (Global Manufacturing) Pavilion: Focused on connecting retailers and brands with manufacturing partners for private-label product development.
Brand Pavilion: Showcasing established and emerging branded products across all home improvement categories.
Product Journey Experience: An interactive feature highlighting the path from concept to commerce.
Meetings & Recommendations Zone: Curated matchmaking and one-on-one meeting opportunities for buyers and suppliers.
Networking and Industry Events
The International Exhibitor Summit kicks off the week on March 30, 2026, providing global exhibitors with strategic insights and networking opportunities before the show floor opens.
Throughout the show, networking is integrated into the exhibit halls and pavilions through structured events and casual gatherings. The 2026 format emphasizes meaningful connections through the Meetings & Recommendations Zone and pavilion-specific networking rather than large-scale social events.
Awards Programs
NHS 2026 continues its tradition of recognizing excellence in the industry with updated awards categories. While specific 2026 categories are being refined, expect to see recognition programs including:
- NHPA Retailers’ Choice Awards: Now in their 60th year, these awards continue to honor top products as selected by retailers.
- Innovation and Product Excellence Awards: Updated categories aligned with the Concept-to-Commerce theme.
The awards ceremonies have been revamped to provide more meaningful opportunities for winners to connect with the industry.
Featured Exhibitors
While the official exhibitor list for 2026 is still being finalized, NHS typically hosts a diverse range of exhibitors from sectors including:
- Hardware and tools
- Electrical and lighting
- Plumbing
- Paint and decorating
- HVAC
- Lawn and garden
- Outdoor living and grilling
- Building products
- Farm and ranch
- Homewares
The show’s global reach and comprehensive category coverage ensure that all segments of the home improvement industry are well represented. Check the NHS exhibitor resources for the latest exhibitor announcements as the show approaches.
Preparing to Exhibit at National Hardware Show 2026
Trade show exhibits are a big investment; here’s what you need to make your time successful:
We’ve created this comprehensive Trade Show Preparation Guide, which you can download for free, to help you prepare for the show.
Set Clear Goals for Your Trade Show Experience
Asking yourself the following questions can help with this task. Once you have the answers to these questions, you can develop a clear plan to reach your goals and measure your success.
- What do you hope to gain from National Hardware Show 2026?
- How many attendees do you want to draw in, and how many leads do you want to generate?
- What products do you want to showcase?
- Are you launching a product or promoting your business?
- Which pavilion or exhibit hub best aligns with your business goals?
Do Your Research
Although you can’t attend everything, you can maximize your time by putting yourself in reach of your target audience at all times. Focus on the pavilions, educational events, and networking opportunities that are most likely to include your target customers so you can put all your attention on those most likely to buy.
With the new three-hub format, consider which area—Inventor Pavilion, Private Label Pavilion, or Brand Pavilion—best positions you to connect with your ideal buyers and partners.
Budget and Register for Your Space
When you register for National Hardware Show 2026, be sure to find out all you can about your space, such as its location on the floor, which pavilion you’ll be in, other exhibitors near you, the typical traffic in the area and what’s included in the space, such as lighting.
Plan Your Exhibit
The last thing you want is a cluttered booth. To plan your exhibit, decide on who you want to reach and what products, demonstrations and promotional materials are best suited to their needs. If you’re targeting multiple audiences, consider the best products to launch or showcase to reach a wide variety of attendees.
Given the show’s focus on “Concept to Commerce,” consider how to tell your product’s journey story and demonstrate how you help partners bring products to market efficiently.
Advertise Well in Advance
Trade show promotion should start months in advance. Promote your attendance on social media, your website, in press releases and through email blasts to ensure that your customers have time to plan. Utilize information such as the attendee list to reach new customers before the show even starts.
Consider leveraging the show’s Business Builder toolkit and expanded media sponsorship opportunities to maximize your visibility.
Tips for Exhibiting at National Hardware Show 2026
When planning to exhibit at the National Hardware Show 2026, consider the following tips:
Engage on Social Media
Use social media outlets to share your trade show exhibit information, drum up anticipation for your giveaways or product launches and share behind-the-scenes tidbits like your team packing for the event or show meetings. Be sure to use the show’s hashtags or other relevant tagging to get your posts into the online conversation.
Draw the Crowd
Use an interactive display, such as a game, contest or raffle to draw people’s interest to your booth. Giving away prizes through raffles or contests is a great way to collect information about visitors and encourage more traffic to your booth.
Bring Promotional Materials
Make sure you devote enough of your budget to an array of promotional materials. You should have order forms, business cards, price sheets, brochures, flyers and more that you can hand out to visitors to ensure you stay in their minds.
Keep Staff at Your Booth
At a show, you’ll want to attend networking events and educational seminars, so it’s important to make sure that your booth is never empty. When you’re preparing for the show, ensure you have enough team members attending the show to man the booth the entire time the show is open and greet visitors to engage them with your business.
Take Advantage of the Meetings & Recommendations Zone
The new Meetings & Recommendations Zone offers curated matchmaking opportunities. Pre-register for one-on-one meetings with potential buyers and partners to maximize your time at the show and ensure you connect with the right decision-makers.
Follow up With Attendees
Following up with your leads is almost as important as planning for the show itself. Take notes during the event to be sure you remember everyone in all the chaos, and take the time to note any opportunities for a smoother event experience in the future.
Planning on Exhibiting at National Hardware Show 2026?
With the reimagined NHS Concept to Commerce format bringing together innovators, manufacturers, and buyers in a more strategic environment, there’s no better place to accelerate your product development and sourcing in the home improvement and DIY industry. This event not only provides endless opportunities for meaningful connections and business relationships, but it also features expanded educational programming and curated networking experiences.
If you’re planning to attend, be sure you make the most of your experience and investment with a stunning booth design that showcases your brand. At Xibit Solutions, we specialize in creating a professional booth experience from start to finish, including show displays and logistics, to ensure you make a lasting impression. With over 20 years of experience and our Las Vegas home-court advantage, we handle all the details so you can focus on connecting with buyers and growing your business.
No matter your budget or needs, we’ll help you make your mark on the National Hardware Show 2026 with customized planning and designs that stand out on the show floor.
Contact Xibit Solutions today to learn more about our trade show booth design services and see what we can do to make the National Hardware Show 2026 a success for your business.
