History — Celebrating 35 Years!

The Hardware Conference began in 1988 with a small group of hardware retailers who wanted to get together once a year with key manufacturers. This small group continued to expand and is now the nation’s largest independent dealer conference. 2023 will mark the 35th Anniversary of The Hardware Conference. It is held each year at the JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort in Marco Island, Florida.

Join colleagues and new friends for this three-day learning and networking event. Share ideas with top retailers on how to grow your business, interact with key vendors on how to increase sales in your store and attend all-industry cocktail receptions and dinners in an exclusive 5-star resort setting.

Ask yourself when was the last time you stepped away from your store to reflect and think of ways you might be able to improve your business and talk with other store owners who live with the same issues that only another owner does? When was the last time you took off to recharge your batteries? The Hardware Conference on Marco Island is definitely one place where you can do both and you simply won’t find a better deal!



Hotels & Highlights

The Hardware Conference is about having fun, relaxing, sharing ideas, learning new tricks of the trade and, most importantly, developing relationships with the other attendees.

Conference

Make your plans today to join friends and colleagues in beautiful Marco Island for this year’s Hardware Conference. There’s no better place to connect, learn and share ideas and strategies that only another hardware store owner understands.

Industry Magazine

The Hardware Connection is published eight times a year by The Hardware Connection Inc. to help independent hardware retailers improve and grow their businesses, to help manufacturers better understand the needs of retailers and to help strengthen the two-step channel of distribution.

 

Marquee Sponsors, Beacon Awards Sponsors & Participating Wholesalers:

The Hardware Conference would like to thank our Marquee Sponsors for their support over the years. It is with their cooperation and that of all of our sponsors, vendors and retailer attendees that we are the largest annual dealer event in the hardware industry in the U.S.



SCHEDULE



  • 18 Aug
    Day 2
  • 19 Aug
    Day 3
  • 20 Aug
    Day 4


  • Conference 1


8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Vendor Set Up

8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Vendor and Dealer Registration

10:30 AM - 2:00 PM
Do it Best Dealer Meeting/Luncheon

10:30 AM - 2:00 PM
Orgill Dealer Meeting/Luncheon

2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Beacon Award Winner Private Reception

6:00 PM - 7:15 PM
Cocktail Reception

7:15 PM - 9:30 PM
Beacon Awards Banquet Dinner

9:30 PM - 11:30 PM
Hospitality Suite Open



  • Conference 1


7:00 AM - 8:00 AM
Breakfast

8:15 AM - 10:00 AM
Exhibit Areas Open

10:15 AM - 11:30 AM
Business Transition Planning, Tom Bronson, President, Masterty Partners

12:00 NN -
Day at the Beach, sponsored by Midwest Fastner

12:00 NN -
Everglades Airboat Excursion

12:00 NN -
Golfing at The Rookery

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Hospitality Suite is open

6:15 PM - 7:15 PM
Cocktail Reception

7:15 PM -
Key West Buffet Dinner Party and Auction

10:30 PM - 1:00 AM
Hospitality Suite is open



  • Conference 1


7:00 AM - 8:00 AM
Breakfast

8:15 AM - 10:00 AM
Exhibit Areas Open

10:15 AM - 11:30 AM
Final day of Open Dialogue

11:30 AM - 12:00 NN
Closing Remarks of The 2023 Hardware Conference








register

Please click the button below to complete The Hardware Conference registration if you are planning on attending The Hardware Conference this year. If you have any questions, please give us a call (305-853-0049) –and we are happy to help you any way we can.


Register Now


  • John Fix III — Retailer

    “The resort is beautiful, the hotel price is at off-season rates and a bargain, and meeting dealers and vendors in a relaxed setting without the buying focus of a market allows time to exchange ideas and suggestions.”

  • Matt Noonan III — Retailer

    “Dealers, vendors and wholesalers get together to discuss a variety of issues pertinent to our industry. The facility is wonderful and very affordable. The meals are superb and the entertainment outstanding.”

  • Bill Zeithammer — Retailer

    “The open-floor discussions are informative and full of useful ideas that I can take back to implement in my store. The dinners, entertainment and receptions are a great place to meet new colleagues and friends.”