First-timer Conference Orientation
Saturday, October 6; 4 – 5 p.m.
New HARDI members and first-time conference attendees are encouraged to attend this explanation on how and why HARDI functions as it does and how to get the most value from conference attendance through active involvement.
Opening Reception, compliments of HARDI Supplier Members
Saturday, October 6; 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
The Supplier Members of HARDI voted in their regular committee meeting at the 2011 Annual Conference to again fund the Opening Reception at the 2012 Annual Conference.
Such funding (the cost of beverages and hors d’oeuvres) represents a collective gesture of hospitality to Wholesale Distributor Members of HARDI from the Supplier Members.
HALO Silent Auction benefiting Homes for Our Troops
Saturday, October 6; 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
The HALO Silent Auction is the premier fundraising event of the HARDI’s philanthropic organization.
Once again, HALO is supporting Homes for Our Troops, a national non-profit 501(c)3 organization based in Taunton, MA founded by John Gonsalves in 2004 (www.homesforourtroops.org). Homes for Our Troops’ mission is to build specially adapted homes for service members severely injured in combat operations since September 11, 2001, and to provide tangible opportunities for grateful Americans to help give back freedom and independence to our nation’s severely injured veterans.
All of this is possible because of the generosity of HARDI members.
Solutions Center
Sunday, October 7; 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Monday, October 8; 8: 30 a.m. – Noon
Showcasing the offerings of Service Vendors, Purchasing/Marketing Groups, Energy Efficiency Partners and Affiliate Partners. The Solutions Center will be limited in number and segmented by service category to help HARDI members quickly and easily find solution providers for their most urgent business needs. Members will have resources available for Business Services, Education, Technology and Software, plus reference materials from industry organizations.
Conference Booth
Monday, October 8; 2 – 5:30 p.m.
Designed to provide a forum for meaningful talks between distributors and policy-level executives of supplier member firms. The Booth Program gives distributors and their suppliers the opportunity to establish face-to-face relationships that are very important to the success of their business dealings. More than 200 HARDI member supplier and service vendor firms participate annually.
Special Note: The conference booth 10, 20, 25, and 50-years Participation (in ARWI and NHRAW) Award recipients will be honored during the Monday morning executives breakfast. This will enable members to display their awards in their booths and show their continuing support of the HARDI Conference Booth Program
Closing Celebration – Cirque Dreams: “It’s not a dream…it’s a reality”
Tuesday, October 9; 7 p.m.
Since 1993 Cirque Productions has created and produced over 13 original unique shows for theatres, casinos and tours worldwide. In 2002 the Cirque Dreams phenomenon began with a show presented under the same title. Since then over 50 million people worldwide have experienced a Cirque Dreams brand show in theatres, casinos, theme parks, arenas, at sea, and on Broadway to rave reviews for Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy, the first and only show of its kind to ever perform on Broadway. Over 150 artists currently perform in our multiple shows, tours and theatres year round – while others train at our one of a kind Dream Studios production facility in South Florida.
HARDI Golf Outing
Wednesday, October 10; 8 a.m. shotgun start
The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club®, Orlando, Grande Lakes provides golfers with an experience not typically found in Florida. In designing The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Orlando, Grande Lakes, two-time British Open Champion Greg Norman and his team put special emphasis on preserving the area’s well-balanced ecosystem, thriving with ponds, wetlands, live oaks, and cypress heads. The result is a breathtakingly beautiful course enhanced by rare natural elements. Wide fairways, strategically placed hazards, generous landing areas, and subtly contoured greens provide a challenging but fair test of a golfer’s abilities.
Grande Lakes Orlando has been recognized for its commitment to the environment and is pleased to announce that The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Orlando, Grande Lakes is a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary. Endorsed by the United States Golf Association, the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses provides information and excellence to help golf courses preserve and enhance wildlife habitat, and protect national resources.
ITR Economics Benchmarking
Throughout the conference
Analysts from HARDI’s Chief Economist’s firm, ITR Economics will be on hand throughout the week to discuss economic trends and how this impacts your business. Hear Alan Beaulieu’s Tuesday luncheon presentation about the latest economic trends and forecasts, and stop by the regional breakout sessions on Tuesday afternoon.
HR Consultations with Nancye Combs
Throughout the conference
HARDI members will have the opportunity to have a one-to-one meeting with HARDI’s Human Resources consultant, Nancye Combs during the Annual Conference. Members may discuss problems, ask questions, and seek advice on HR issues. You may make an appointment in advance of the conference (nancyecombs@aol.com) or talk to Nancye on Sunday and Monday at the HARDI Solutions Center. She will be available to talk to those who want to see her when she is not engaged with members who have reserved her time in advance.
