Registration Open for 2026 Independent Home Improvement Conference
Registration is now open for the 2026 Independent Home Improvement Conference (IHI Conference), scheduled for July 29-30 at the J.W. Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes in Orlando, Fla. The midsummer event brings together independent hardware and home improvement retailers, distributors, manufacturers and service providers for two days of education, networking and industry discussion.
What to Expect at the 2026 IHI Conference
More than 700 retailers and industry partners are expected to attend, continuing IHI’s role as a gathering point for the independent channel to exchange ideas, assess trends and prepare for the year ahead. The conference agenda includes keynote presentations, educational breakout sessions and peer-driven conversations, along with access to solution providers spanning merchandising, operations, technology, finance and marketing.
Educational sessions are designed to address practical, day-to-day challenges facing independent businesses, with programming focused on profitability, staffing, merchandising strategy, leadership development and navigating ongoing change across the home improvement landscape. Speakers include experienced retailers and industry professionals sharing real-world insight intended to translate directly to store operations.
The Partner Pavilion will once again serve as a central hub on the show floor, connecting retailers with manufacturers and service providers offering products, tools and services aligned with independent retail needs.
Industry Recognition and Awards
The 2026 Independent Home Improvement Conference will also feature awards programming recognizing leadership and excellence across the channel, including Hardware Connection’s Beacon Awards and Digital Beacon Awards, NHPA Top Guns honorees and NHPA’s Young Retailer of the Year.
Now entering its third year, the IHI Conference was founded in 2024 through the combination of NHPA and The Hardware Conference’s annual events. Registration details, pricing and the full agenda are available at ihiconference.org.
