The upcoming 2013 National Hardware Show is gearing up with an expanded slate of offerings. Scheduled for May 7 to 9 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, the show noted that it has enhanced product categories along with educational and networking opportunities.

The National Hardware Show noted that it has more than 98% of its available floor space sold out. Companies that have signed on to exhibit at the 2013 National Hardware Show include notable brands such as 3M, Ames True Temper, Apex Tool Group, Char-Broil, Elmer's, Kohler, Weber and more.

In its efforts to make the event easier for attendees to navigate, the 2013 National Hardware Show will have exhibitors arranged into 11 separate categories, including: Farm and Ranch; Hardware and Tools; Homewares; International Sourcing; Inventor's Spotlight; Lawn, Garden and Outdoor Living; PDRA Paint and Accessories; Pet Products; Plumbing and Electrical; Storage and Organization; and Outdoors, Tailgate & Recreation.

Farm and Ranch, Pet Products, and Outdoors, Tailgate & Recreation represent emerging categories within the home improvement landscape, the show organizer noted. Building Products will also make a return to the 2013 show. Other special areas have also been established to highlight products that are Made in the USA or are energy-efficient, both of which stretch across traditional categories.

Innovative new products and ideas will also be in the spotlight, with three areas dedicated to showcasing new ideas and items to hit the market— New Product World, the New Product Launch Spotlight and the Inventor's Spotlight areas. New Product World and Inventor's Spotlight will be in the Innovation Station, which has a new home off the main lobby near the show floor.

 A Focus On The Consumer And Technology

The National Hardware Show will once again play host to the North American Retail Hardware Association All-Industry Conference, which will feature a slate of seminars to keep attendees informed about changing industry trends and consumer shopping habits. The theme for this year's educational lineup revolves around today's changing consumer and the role that emerging technology plays in the future of the industry.

The three-day educational program will feature a keynote address from Kathy Daly-Jennings, a retail executive from Google, who will discuss consumers' multi-screen lifestyles. Along with Daly-Jennings, other speakers will include noted consumer trend authority Brian Kilcourse, who will discuss how today's retail environment is evolving to meet the needs of a more tech-savvy consumer; and Timothy Dahl, a well-known home improvement industry blogger and former producer of This Old House, Elle Decor, Metropolitan Home and Woman's Day magazines, who will present on how to best find, engage and maintain customers online.

A Full Awards Lineup

The home improvement industry will also gather at the National Hardware Show to recognize the best of the best from across all channels with a lineup of awards programs.

Awards that will be presented include the Homewares Show Awards, presented by Homeworld Business magazine; 2013 Golden Hammer Awards, presented by Home Channel News magazine; the Industry's Top Gun Awards and Retailers' Choice Awards, presented by Hardware Retailing magazine; the Packaging and Merchandising Awards, presented by the North American Retail Hardware Association; the Paint and Decorating Retailers Association Scholarship presentations; the Lawn and Garden and Outdoor Innovation Awards presented by Casual Living magazine; New Product World Awards presented by DIY; National Hardware Show All-American Awards presented by Made in USA Brand; Game Ball Awards presented by Tailgater Magazine; and the New Product Launch Spotlight Awards, presented by the National Hardware Show.