Sun and sand meet education and networking at the 2024 Independent Home Improvement Conference (IHI Conference). This groundbreaking event brings together the esteemed legacies of the North American Hardware and Paint Association (NHPA) and The Hardware Conference.
Taking place Aug. 27-29 at the exquisite JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort, this must-attend event will feature unparalleled networking opportunities, prestigious award ceremonies and cutting-edge educational sessions based around the conference theme of Retail Operations and Innovation (ROI).
On Track for Helpful Takeaways
During the IHI Conference, attendees can participate in morning breakout sessions, featuring four education tracks, and gain best practices and practical knowledge they can take back to their operations. The tracks include technology; marketing, merchandising and advertising; retail operations; and employee engagement. On the main stage each afternoon, keynote speakers and retailer panels will share insights on change leadership, creating growth, customer service, employee retention and more.
Read the Q&A with Al here and tune into the June and July issues of Hardware Retailing to hear from Arthur and Daniel.
Business: Meet the Keynote Speakers
From cutting his teeth as a high schooler working at an independent hardware store to leading Fortune 500 companies as a senior executive, Al Comeaux, change agent and former executive at Travelocity, GE and American Airlines, draws on decades of experience researching, leading and championing organizational change from the inside out. Today, Al helps leaders steer their organizations successfully through change.
Despite facing numerous challenges as a child, Arthur Greeno, owner and operator of two Chick-fil-A locations in Tulsa, Oklahoma, has found success as an entrepreneur and philanthropist in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with 36 years of experience. At just 22 years old, Arthur owned and operated two Chick-fi l-A restaurants. As a result of his investments in company culture and his dedication to his team, his restaurants have an average staff tenure of six years.
As the son of an oil refinery worker and third of 14 children, Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger, former University of Notre Dame football player and inspiration for the movie “Rudy”, rose from valleys of discouragement and despair to the pinnacles of success. It took years of fierce determination to overcome obstacles and criticisms, yet Rudy achieved his first dream—to attend the University of Notre Dame and play football for the Fighting Irish. Rudy’s life story is immortalized in the blockbuster film “Rudy.”
Pleasure: Sun, Sand and Strategy
© Naples, Marco Island, Everglades CVB
The IHI Conference is not just about business; in between conference events, attendees will be able to enjoy the beautiful beachfront property, pools, golf and all that Marco Island has to offer. Along with stunning accommodations, the JW Marriott Marco Island Resort offers fun activities, including parasailing, wave runner tours, dolphin watches, banana boat rides and Everglades excursions.
