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Ace Hardware’s 2026 Fall Convention in Orlando drew more than 14,500 attendees, up 5.5% from the previous Fall Convention held there in 2023. Hardware Retailing editor Lindsey Thompson selected five products she believes could sell well at independent home improvement stores; the article does not report sales results or Ace-wide buying decisions.
Ace Hardware’s 2026 Fall Convention brought more than 14,500 attendees to Orlando, a 5.5% increase over the Fall Convention’s last Orlando appearance in 2023, according to Hardware Retailing. The publication’s editor and director of content development, Lindsey Thompson, also singled out five products she thought could be best-sellers at independent home improvement retailers, offering a snapshot of merchandise on display rather than confirmed sales or chain-wide purchasing plans.
Hardware Retailing described attendance as record-breaking and reported the comparison with Fall 2023, when the convention was last held in Orlando. The source does not provide a total for the 2023 event or a breakdown of this year’s attendees by retailer, vendor or other category. Thompson’s product selections span garden accessories, landscaping materials, outdoor recreation, emergency preparedness and party supplies.
Her picks included Spirit Stakes, decorative plant, garden and food stakes made from PureBond wood products, with designs representing more than 100 colleges and 15 sororities and fraternities. The report says options include acrylic and wooden stakes, and that a portion of each purchase supports the school or organization represented. Thompson also highlighted Montana Gold hemp mulch mats, which the source describes as containing no microplastics or adhesives and as an alternative to coconut fiber and synthetic weed barriers.
The other selections were a 22-quart FOAM cooler made entirely from EVA foam, a compact Midland ER10 emergency alert radio with AM/FM and NOAA weather channels, and helium balloons from Anagram Balloons. The report describes the cooler as lightweight and buoyant, with a floating serving lid. Thompson’s praise for the products reflects her impressions on the show floor; the article gives no retail prices, sales figures, stocking commitments or independent product testing.
A Wider Mix for Local Stores
The picks show the range of merchandise that independent hardware retailers may encounter at a convention: products for gardening and landscaping sit alongside recreation gear, weather radios and balloons. That mix could matter to stores looking for merchandise beyond conventional tools and building supplies, particularly products that serve everyday community needs or seasonal occasions.
The attendance figure points to a large gathering for the event, while the product roundup offers examples of what one editor found notable. It does not establish that the products will be stocked broadly or perform well. Retailers would still need to weigh customer demand, prices, margins, supplier terms and available shelf space before making buying decisions.
Orlando Show and Product Picks
The source report compares the 2026 Fall Convention’s attendance with Fall 2023, the previous time the event took place in Orlando. It gives the change as 5.5% and the newer attendance as more than 14,500, but does not specify the precise count used to calculate the increase or describe attendance at intervening Fall Conventions.
Thompson’s roundup is an editorial selection made while browsing the show floor. She said Spirit Stakes caught her attention partly because they included an Ohio University design, and praised the reusable cupcake and food stakes. On Montana Gold, she noted that the vendor was attending an Ace Convention for the first time in the new vendors section. Her comments on the cooler, radio and balloons likewise explain her personal interest in the products; they are not statements from Ace about merchandising policy.
“The stakes are a fun way to show your team pride, are really well made and come in a variety of sizes and both indoor and indoor/outdoor versions.”
— Lindsey Thompson, Hardware Retailing editor and director of content development
Sales and Store Orders Unreported
The report does not say whether Ace or individual member retailers placed orders for any of the five products, or whether the items are already available in stores. It also provides no prices, sales forecasts, customer research or post-convention performance data. Thompson’s view that the products could be best-sellers is an attributed editorial judgment, not a verified outcome.
The source does not publish the exact attendance count beyond “over 14,500,” explain how the 5.5% comparison was calculated, or give comparable attendance figures for other years. Product attributes and sustainability descriptions are presented in the report; the article does not describe independent testing or verification of those claims.
Retail Decisions After Orlando
Retailers considering the featured products would need to contact suppliers for current pricing, availability and ordering terms, then judge whether the merchandise suits their customers. The source report does not identify a follow-up sales announcement, order deadline or next milestone for any of the products.
Further details on convention attendance, retailer orders and product performance may emerge from Ace, participating vendors or retailers. Until then, the reported figure and Thompson’s five picks describe the event and her show-floor assessment, while the commercial results remain unknown.
Key Questions
How many people attended Ace Hardware’s 2026 Fall Convention?
Hardware Retailing reported more than 14,500 attendees at the Orlando convention. It did not publish a precise total.
How did attendance compare with the last Orlando Fall Convention?
The report said attendance was up 5.5% from Fall 2023, the last time the Fall Convention was held in Orlando. It did not provide the earlier event’s attendance count.
Which products did Lindsey Thompson select?
She highlighted Spirit Stakes, Montana Gold hemp mulch mats, the FOAM EVA foam cooler, Midland’s ER10 emergency alert radio and Anagram helium balloons.
Are these products confirmed best-sellers at Ace stores?
No. Thompson said she thought the products could be best-sellers at independent home improvement retailers. The report contains no sales figures, store orders or confirmation that Ace retailers will carry them.
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