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AT AMERICAN HARDWARE MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION P.R. # AHMA08-14 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE AHMA ANNOUNCES DATES AND LOCATION FOR 2009 HARDLINES TECHNOLOGY FORUM® Schaumburg, Illinois, September 25, 2008 — After carefully evaluating attendee feedback from a highly successful 2008 Hardlines Technology Forum® (HTF®) in Memphis, Tennessee, The American Hardware Manufacturers Association (AHMA) is putting the final touches on the 2009 HTF® which will be held April 19 – 22 at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel in downtown Philadelphia, PA. The AHMA Hardlines Technology Forum® brings together hundreds of IT, logistics, merchandising, executive, business and finance professionals from the hardware/home improvement industry to discuss leading technology issues affecting the industry, including Supply Chain Management, Data Sync, Bar Coding, the Greening of IT, Compliance Issues, and EDI. “Business and technology professionals are working more closely together than ever before, and HTF® is at the forefront of this dynamic,” said Timothy S. Farrell, AHMA’s president and chief executive officer. “With a noted shift in supply chain strategy, manufacturers are looking back to the U.S. Companies must be ready with a highly skilled workforce able to manage the technology issues surrounding supply chain management, which means HTF® is a vital, must-attend Forum for IT and business professionals.” The 2009 conference will offer unique elements that are unrivalled in the industry. The exclusive “How To” do business sessions with Lowe’s, Do it Best and True Value -- held in 2008 for the first time -- were well attended and scored high on evaluations, so the sessions will be on the 2009 schedule. The Buyer Panel, also an HTF® exclusive, assembles leading retailers and distributors who provide valuable insights into their future plans for ecommerce directly affecting Forum attendees. Additionally, there will be over 40 sessions on topical subjects, covering standards and technology issues from the simple to the complex, two networking receptions, and a keynote presentation. “We are keeping all the elements from 2008 that were a big hit, updating them, and adding topics and subject matters to address new concerns raised over the past few months,” said Farrell. Jim Rohde, IT manager at DHI Corporation said of the 2008 Forum, “HTF conferences bridge the gap between technology for business functions while encouraging communications between sellers and buyers.” Lucy Parker, EDI Coordinator at Eclectic Products, Inc., called the 2008 Forum an invaluable experience, and first time attendee Henrik Sternberg, Sales Director DIY / Hardware for Freudenberg Household Products said “The AHMA conference gave valuable information, good cases and a large network to utilize in future business and operation.” For more information on the 2009 Hardlines Technology Forum®, visit www.ahma.org/htf. About The American Hardware Manufacturers Association AHMA offers many valuable member and industry programs, services and activities including the AHMA Advantage GPOSM (Group Purchasing Organization), AHMA Hardlines Technology Forum®, AHMA / USA International Pavilions, Government Relations Programs, Member Benefit Vendor Programs, Member Cost Reduction Programs, AHMA Hardware Industry Relief Effort (HIRE), and the AHMA / Habitat for Humanity Partnership. For more information about AHMA, please visit www.ahma.org. ### |