Endorsement for Chicago

The industry association has now listed the companies and associations that have endorsed its fair in Chicago. They include the big cooperative-based chains such as Ace Hardware, Do it best and Truserv. Where the big retail chains are concerned, only Sears is currently on the list; Home Depot and Lowe’s are not yet included.
Ace Hardware Corp.
All American Home Center
Amarillo Hardware Co.
Becknell Wholesale Co.
Blackstone Supply Co.
Blish-Mize
California Hardware Co.
Distribution America
Do it Best Corp.
Do-It-Yourself Retailing
Hand Tools Institute
Hardware Marketing Council
Home Center Institute
Horizon Distribution
House-Hasson Hardware Co.
Jensen Distribution Services
Lawn & Garden Marketing and Distribution Association
Lawn & Garden Retailer
McGregor Hardware
National Retail Hardware Association
North American Building Material Distribution Association
Reliable Distributors
Sears
The Bostwick-Braun Co.
The Hard Fax
The Hardware Conference
The PRO Group
TruServ Corp.
United Hardware Distributing Co.
Val-Test Group
Wallace Hardware Co.
International associations and companies are also included.
BHB (National Association of German DIY, Building & Gardening Retailers)
British Hardware & Housewares Manufacturers’ Association
British Hardware Federation
China National Hardware Association
Danish Retail Hardware Association
French Hardware Federation
Hardware International Magazine
Inside Australian Hardware
International Federation of Hardware & Housewares Associations
Irish Hardware & Building Material Association
Japan DIY Industry Association
New Zealand Hardware Journal
OBI
AHMA has also named the members of the AHMA Industry Advisory Council, a committee of 13 individuals appointed to formulate the future direction of the trade fair.
Dave Hodnik, President & CEO, Ace Hardware Corporation
Bob Taylor, President & CEO, Do it Best Corporation
Pamela Forbes Lieberman, President & CEO, TruServ Corporation
Lyle Heidemann, Executive Vice President and General Manager Hardlines, Sears
Bill Axline, President & CEO, Distribution America
Richard Paige, President & CEO, PRO Group, Inc.
Russ Meeks, President & CEO, Val-Test Distributors
John Hammond, Managing Director, National Retail Hardware Association
Jack McGreevey, Executive Director, Lawn & Garden Marketing and Distribution Association
Charles Hermes, President, Dutton-Lainson Company
Frank Feraco, President & COO, Gerber Plumbing Fixtures, Inc., Globe Union Group Int’l
Rich Dell, President & CEO, Ames True Temper, Inc.
Bill Farrell, President & CEO, American Hardware Manufacturers Association
Having parted company with Reed Exhibitions, the Association is now working on the organisation of the new trade fair in collaboration with the show management company Convexx, which is headquartered in Henderson, Nevada.
The fair, which is due to be premiered in Chicago from 18 to 20 April 2004, will be divided into three sections:
World of Hardware & Tools
World of Lawn, Garden & Outdoor Living
World of Home Decorating