Chairman's Message

"HTF" and "Collaboration" - two terms that are interchangeable to what they mean to the hardware / home improvement industry. Without them, the cost of doing business would be insurmountable. (I think you know where I am going with this one.) Can you and your company afford not to participate in HTF, to not be part of industry collaboration? (Yep, you were right.)

What began in 1991 as a forum to address the emerging standards and implications of EDI, AHMA's Hardlines Technology Forum has evolved into its own industry standard to deliver the most up to date information and cohesiveness for manufacturers, distributors, retailers and technology suppliers to improve their trading abilities. HTF provides a comprehensive view of technology in the supply chain, including its foundational structure, the current strategies that are in play and a look into the future to keep at least one step in front of what will soon be affecting our businesses.

Having to comply with the supply chain requirements set forth by your trading partners is inevitable, if not already ongoing. Implementing the same compliance requirements within your company's four walls to maximize your own internal supply chain, though, is usually the one, if not the largest, benefit that is most overlooked. I understand that such integration into existing systems is no easy task, but the results will usually outweigh the processes of getting there.

Thankfully, we are not alone in our endeavors, as there are hundreds if not thousands of IT professionals in our industry that are confronting similar issues, which brings me back to the beginning of this message."HTF" and "Collaboration". Without them, we would all be on an endless chase of trying to find our own suitable solutions. Instead, we can rely on HTF to provide both the learning and, most importantly, the NETWORKING platform that allows the industry to resolve issues together.

As Chairman of the HTF Planning & Education Committee, I cannot express to you enough about the importance of attending HTF. It is the ONE and only technology conference dedicated to our industry that brings together your key trading partners and provides the most benefits at the most economical fee an IT professional can find.

HTF is where you need to be, and I look forward to seeing you in Schaumburg!
 

Darrell Roquemore
Chairman, HTF Planning & Education Committee