HDA Bolsters Partnership at the Executive Planning Conference
The Hardlines Distribution Alliance Executive Planning Conference, November 18-20 at the Marriott Sawgrass Golf Resort and Spa in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., brought distributors and vendors together to strengthen partnerships ahead of HDA’s merger with North American Tool Suppliers.
Hardlines Distribution Alliance (HDA) brought distributor members and vendor partners together at the 21st Annual Executive Planning Conference (EPC) at the Marriott Sawgrass Golf Resort and Spa, using the gathering to strengthen partnerships ahead of its merger with North American Tool Suppliers (NATS). The event remained focused on growing programs, sharpening vendor relationships and laying groundwork for a coordinated 2026.
The conference opened with the New Vendor Showcase, giving first-time exhibitors a dedicated space to present products and connect directly with distributor attendees. Those early introductions set the tone for the golf scramble, receptions and scheduled meetings that followed. Attendees mixed networking with product exploration, allowing new vendors to build momentum heading into formal appointments.
Golfers spent Tuesday afternoon on The Dye’s Valley Course for a scramble and hole-in-one contest sponsored by the North American Hardware and Paint Association. The welcome reception that evening brought together distributors, long-time suppliers and new partners for informal networking.
On Wednesday, vendors met one-on-one with distributor buyers and executives in 20-minute sessions designed to clarify programs, outline product initiatives and identify shared growth priorities. Between appointments, attendees visited a featured-item area to review products highlighted by participating suppliers.
“The EPC provides us with the opportunity to connect with suppliers on both current and future business as well as network with other like distributors,” said Chelsey Chartier, category merchant at Buttery Company. “With existing vendors, discussions of growth are key. With new suppliers, the EPC allows us to understand their products and programs and how they would resonate with our dealer base.”
The awards luncheon recognized sponsors, the top three featured products and the 2025 Supplier Award winners. It also introduced three new honors celebrating partnership and innovation. Wednesday evening’s “Turn Back Time” reception, sponsored by the National Hardware Show, offered a lighthearted close to the day with vintage attire, retro karaoke and themed food and music.
Meetings continued Thursday, followed by a farewell reception before departures on Friday. Throughout the week, the conference emphasized collaboration and the evolving scale of the combined HDA–NATS organization.
“The EPC is designed to maximize collaboration within our group and this year’s event was no different,” said Shari Kalbach, president of HDA. “With the completion of the merger with NATS, we are looking forward to a strong 2026 with new opportunities and streamlined events that will make HDA conferences even more valuable to our members and vendor partners.”
2025 HDA Supplier Award Winners
HDA honored the following companies for standout performance, innovation and partnership during the 2025 awards program:
Best New Vendor Showcase – E-Cloth Inc.
Innovative Product of the Year – IPEX USA for the Universal Transition Coupling
Excellence in Partnership – Stanley Black & Decker
HDA Supplier of the Year, All Categories, 4th Place – Midwest Fastener
HDA Supplier of the Year, All Categories, 3rd Place – Oatey/Plumb Pak
HDA Supplier of the Year, All Categories, 2nd Place – DAP Global Inc.
HDA Supplier of the Year, All Categories, 1st Place – Ancra Cargo
Top 3 Featured Items
H&K Smart Fence – Starkline Premium Poultry Electric Netting Fence
Council Tool Company – Rhino Tool
Marshalltown – DustPro 360
