llqtionol Building Products Expo

new products including terms and dating, factory training, promotional sup port, order quantities, in-store displays, in-store demos, and advertising.

* "Turn Cash Faster," offering a panel of experts sharing their marketing strategies of serving both pro and d-i-y business customers, and how they lowered inventories, increased sales and created faster tums.

.3. "Maximize Profrs Like the Top Performers," exploring how to increase profit potential by employing customer service techniques used by top retailers, raising average transaction size, attracting and keeping customers, training better and utilizing the sales force and counter personnel.

ore than 70,m0 are expected to converge on Chicago's expanded McCormick Place Complex Aug. l0l3 to preview the latest at the National Building Products Exposition & Conference.

"The show floor represents all of the important product categories within the industry, including flooring, doors, lumber, wallcovering, windows, and roofing," said show spokesman Dennis MacDonald.

The National Building Products Expo is held in conjunction with the National Hardware Show.

In its sixth year, the Expo has grown from 100 exhibits on 15,000 sq. ft. to an estimated 350 exhibitors on 108,000 sq. ft.

"It's exciting to see the show expand, because it means the marketplace is growing, too," said William P. Farrell, president of the American Hardware Manufacturers Association. "We're working to make the industry's best events even better, and the pieces to the puzzle are coming together to make it happen."

At McCormick's Lakeside Center (formerly the East Building), the Expo will occupy Level 3, as will housewares and paint & decorating exhibitors, plus the international segment.

The South Building will showcase hardware and allied lines, plumbing and electrical, while the North Building will house lawn and garden and outdoor living on both floors.

Planners anticipate the two shows will fill the three buildings. "In 1987, when the North Building was completed and added about 280,000 net sq. ft. to the East and former West facilities, it was completely filled the very first year," Fanell said.

Building Products Digest and The Merchant Magazine will be at booth 41225. David Koenig, Chuck Casey and David Cutler will be on hand with free copies of the special E,rpo Preview edition of our magazines.

A New Products Exposition, featuring hundreds of new products displayed at the Expo, will be located in booth 10,000 in the South Building.

The entries will be identihed in booth order sequence and each guest will be supplied with a New Product Directory that contains descriptions of the exhibitor firm names, booth numbers and items.

Nine one-hour seminars will be held Aug. 10, beginning at l0 a.m., and Aug. ll, beginning at 8 a.m. The following will be discussed:

* "Packaging for Proht," featuring the latest innovations and newest ideas in packaging design.

{. "How to Select, Promote and Merchandise New Products," focusing on key elements of developing

{. "lndependent Rep Oppormnities in the Next Millennium," addressing the profit potential of independent sales reps. the most effective ways to use them, and their future impact.

* "Turn Shoppers into Buyers," discussing ways to sell, display, and package products to encouraSe customers to purchase.

.3. "A Look into the Future: What Does the Next 18 Months Hold for Our Industry?," examining housing starts, industry capacity, revolutionary products, and the impact of technology and consolidations.

.3. "Electronic Commerce: How Will It Change the Channel?," explaining what it is and how it affects business now and in the future.

* "Profiting with Private Brands," defining how private branding increases margins and customer recognition.

In addition, Expo attendees gain free admission to the National Hardware Show in McCormick's North and South buildings.

Other events scheduled include a keynote address by president and ceo of Lowe's Cos., Robert L. Tillman, Retail Conceps Center and Packaging Exposition, and the Retail Services Showcase.

Both shows will be held during International Hardware Week, sponsored by the American Hardware Manufacturers Association.