Printable Version

AT AMERICAN HARDWARE MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION
Terry Gallagher
Manager of Communications
801 North Plaza Drive
Schaumburg, Illinois 60173
847-592-3504
tgallagher@ahma.org

P.R. # AHMA08-16

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

AHMA Announces Keynote Speaker for 2009 Hardlines Technology Forum^®

David Strom, One of the Leading Experts on Network and Internet Technology, will Show HTF^® Attendees How Social Networks, Instant Messaging, Wikis and Blogs Can Connect Customers and Suppliers and Add to the Bottom Line

Schaumburg, Illinois, November 14, 2008 — The American Hardware Manufacturers Association (AHMA) today announced that Mr. David Strom, one of the world’s foremost experts on using network and internet technologies to innovatively add to the bottom line, will be the keynote speaker at the 2009 Hardlines Technology Forum scheduled to be held at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel, April 19 – 22, 2009 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Strom has written thousands of articles including a wide variety of opinion columns, reviews, feature stories and analyses for dozens of publications and web sites, such as Baseline, eWEEK, Computerworld, and many others. He is a frequent contributor to the New York Times. Strom has spoken to audiences around the world and has appeared on numerous television and radio talk shows such as ABC World News Tonight and NPR's Science Friday talking about technology. He has also written opinion columns for Infoworld, PC Week, and others. Strom is the author of two books: Internet Messaging and Home Networking Survival Guide. He was the editor-in-chief of DigitalLanding.com, a leader in digital lifestyle services. Strom's weekly Web Informant email list and "strominator.com" blog reach very influential readers throughout the IT, vendor, network computing, OEM and enthusiast, reseller channel and security communities. Strom has a Masters of Science, Operations Research degree from Stanford University, and a BS from Union College.

“In today’s extremely challenging economy, business and technology professionals need to work 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, 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 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.

The 2009 conference will offer unique elements that are unrivalled in the industry. There will be over 40 sessions on topical subjects, covering standards and technology issues from the simple to the complex, two networking receptions, and the keynote presentation. “We are keeping all the elements from 2008 that were a big hit, updating them, and adding topics and subject matter 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 operations.”

For more information on the 2009 Hardlines Technology Forum, visit www.ahma.org/htf.

About the American Hardware Manufacturers Association (AHMA)

AHMA is a globally focused trade association of manufacturers, or providers, of hardware, home improvement, lawn and garden, paint and decorating, building and construction and related products, as well as manufacturers’ representative’s agencies and trade publications.

AHMA offers many valuable member and industry programs, services and activities including the AHMA Hardlines Technology Forum^®, AHMA / USA International Pavilions, AHMA Advantage GPO^SM, The Hard Fax: Home Improvement Industry News^®, The Hard Fax International: Home Improvement Industry News from Around the World^SM, the AHMA Home Improvement Industry Confidence Index^SM, Government Relations Programs, Member Benefit Vendor Programs, the AHMA Hardware Industry Relief Effort (HIRE) and the AHMA / Habitat for Humanity Partnership.

For more information about AHMA, please visit www.ahma.org.

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