Think Outside the Box

Although “thinking outside the box” may have become a cliché in business circles, for Jeff Baxter, a Grammy-winning guitarist turned high-level security consultant for the U.S. Department of Defense, it’s a way of life. During the long hours on the road touring with Steely Dan and the Doobie Brothers, Baxter became a self-taught expert in missile defense systems. During that time, he wrote a paper that proposed converting a ship-based anti-aircraft missile system into a rudimentary missile defense system. He passed the paper along to a congressperson and began his career as a defense consultant.

Now, Baxter advises military and civilian groups on “out-of-the-box” strategies. In August, retailers will be able to learn even more about new technologies, practices and ways of thinking that are reaping benefits for businesses when he speaks at the 2019 Independent Garden Center (IGC) Show, which will be held Aug. 13-15 at McCormick Place in Chicago.

Baxter will be a keynote speaker at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 14. Read more about his presentation here.

The first-ever Independent Home Improvement Show—Powered by NHS, as well as the 2019 NRHA STIHL Foundations of Leadership Conference and the 2019 State of Independents Midyear Review, both hosted by the North American Retail Hardware Association (NRHA), will all be co-located during this year’s IGC Show.

The ICG Show will give attendees full access to all the Show’s amenities, including free access to the Show Floor and keynote speakers, as well as hardware and tools, homewares, barbecue, electrical and plumbing exhibitors and more. In addition, they can attend the Independent Home Improvement Show and NRHA’s events. Click here to register for the IGC Show.

The Independent Home Improvement Show is designed to connect independent retailers with some of the industry’s leading manufacturers. Attendees can expect to make connections within the industry, develop new sourcing opportunities and find top-of-the-line educational seminars to arm them with more information to help them better compete in today’s marketplace. Click here to register.

The NRHA STIHL Foundations of Leadership Conference will be open to retailers interested in participating in leadership-themed workshops and presentations, and the State of Independents Midyear Review serves as an extension to NRHA’s popular State of Independents Conference, which is sponsored by the National Hardware Show® and takes place every December. Click here to register for the NRHA events.