Detailed Agenda
11:00am – 1:00pm | Great Lakes ABC Foyer | Registration
Sponsored By:
12:00pm – 12:45pm | Great Lakes C | Welcome Lunch
Sponsored By:
12:45pm – 12:55pm | Great Lakes AB
HIRI Welcome: Dave King
Dave has spent the past 25 years in the strategy, research and advanced analytics space. Nine of those years were focused directly in the home improvement space as VP of Strategy, Research & Analytics for EnerBank USA, a home improvement lender. Prior roles include Chief Statistician, Adjunct Professor, Board Member and Research Manager.
12:55pm – 1:45pm | Great Lakes AB
2026 Economic Outlook
The home improvement space is not on an island. This session looks at global economic factors alongside domestic factors to paint the current economic scene and draw it out into the future. Learn how these critical factors will impact your business in the months to come.
Sponsored By:
Danushka Nanayakkara-Skillington
Assistant Vice President for Forecasting and Analysis | NAHB
1:45pm – 2:25pm | Great Lakes AB
Future-Proofing the Home Improvement Market: Key Drivers Shaping the Remodeling Landscape
This presentation will explore key trends shaping the home improvement and remodeling market, including consumer behavior, technology, sustainability, and economic shifts. Attendees will gain insights to navigate challenges, seize opportunities, and align strategies with future industry needs.
2:25pm – 3:00pm | Great Lakes AB
Consumer Mindset Shifts: Navigating Changing Values and Behaviors in the Home Improvement Industry
This session will examine how shifting consumer values and behaviors are reshaping the home improvement market. As trust in institutions declines, consumers are prioritizing personal control, self-investment, and deliberate choices. Attendees will gain insights to align strategies and products with these evolving needs.
3:00pm – 3:30pm | Great Lakes ABC Foyer | Networking Coffee Break
Sponsored By:
3:30pm – 4:00pm | Great Lakes AB
Closing the Gap: Understanding and Addressing the Residential Construction Labor Shortage
The work is there, and in fact, is building, but the labor is shrinking. This session dives into the data behind the current and future potential labor shortages, and the solutions to address them.
Ken Simonson
Chief Economist | The Associated General Contractors (ACG) of America, Inc.
4:00pm – 4:45pm | Great Lakes AB
Multi-Channel Marketing for Multi-Channel Distribution Success: Strategies for Effective Marketing in a Complex and Competitive Market
Managing multiple distribution channels such as direct, retail, wholesale, and online presents unique challenges that require a strategic, data-driven marketing approach. Join us for an engaging discussion featuring insights from three leading manufacturers on how to build and execute a powerful multi-channel marketing strategy. Attendees will gain actionable insights on optimizing customer engagement, selecting the right marketing mix, and driving business growth in a fragmented marketplace.
Panelists
4:45pm – 5:15pm | Great Lakes AB
How Climate Risk Is Reshaping the U.S. Housing Market
With more than 80% of home shoppers now considering climate risk when searching for a home, the link between environmental exposure and housing market dynamics has never been stronger. Trillions of dollars in U.S. housing are at risk from fire, flood and wind, with impacts already showing up in affordability, buyer behavior, insurance costs and sales trends. In this session, Zillow senior economist Kara Ng shares research and insights to help you understand why these risks are critical to strategic planning across the industry.
5:30pm – 7:00pm | Great Lakes E | Reception & Cocktail Hour
Sponsored By:
7:00am – 12:00pm | Great Lakes ABC Foyer | Registration
Sponsored By:
7:00am – 8:00am | Great Lakes C | Breakfast
8.00am – 8:30am | Great Lakes AB
HIRI Welcome: Dave King
Dave has spent the past 25 years in the strategy, research and advanced analytics space. Nine of those years were focused directly in the home improvement space as VP of Strategy, Research & Analytics for EnerBank USA, a home improvement lender. Prior roles include Chief Statistician, Adjunct Professor, Board Member and Research Manager.
8:30am – 9:00am | Great Lakes AB
Navigating New Policies: The Impact of the 2025 Administration on the Home Improvement Industry
This session will analyze policy changes under the new administration and their impact on the home improvement industry. Topics include shifts in immigration, housing policies, and tariffs affecting labor, costs, and project timelines. Attendees will gain insights to navigate regulatory changes and position their businesses for success.
9:00am – 9:30am | Great Lakes AB
Artificial Intelligence in Home Improvement & Remodeling: Transforming the Pro Experience
This session will explore how AI is transforming the home improvement industry by enhancing efficiency, personalizing experiences, and driving innovation. From AI-powered tools for homeowners to smart technologies for contractors, we’ll highlight key applications and future trends. Attendees will gain practical strategies for leveraging AI to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving market.
9:30am – 10:00am | Great Lakes AB | Networking Coffee Break
10:00am – 10:45am | Great Lakes AB
Balancing Act: Navigating the Challenges of Serving Both DIY and Pro Customers in the Home Improvement Retail Landscape
Delivering the right solutions for pros is hard, and it’s equally difficult to deliver to consumers. How do you create a strategy that most effectively uses your resources and can appeal to both? In this session, industry leaders will talk about how to appeal to the unique needs of both the pro and the consumer, sharing insights on creating the right product offerings, customer experiences, and marketing strategies. Attendees will learn actionable strategies to drive growth and engagement in a competitive market.
Panelists
Gerardo Soto
VP Media & Sports Marketing | Lowe’s Companies
Allison Flatjord
Vice President Marketing and Ecommerce | Do it Best Corp.
Deidre Myers
Director of Market Intelligence | Ferguson
Jennifer Castenson
Vice President of Ambassador & Industry Partner Program | Buildxact
10:45am – 11:15am | Great Lakes ABC Foyer
20 Home Design Trends for 2026
2025 brought in new home improvement design trends that had pros learning about resiliency, energy efficiency, and wellbeing. Where are these trends headed? What will stick and what is emerging for the first time? This session will uncover the top 20 trends that homeowners will demand next year.
11:15am – 11:45am | Great Lakes ABC Foyer
Understanding the Pro: Challenges, Opportunities, and Expectations
Learn how pros are engaging with brands, suppliers, and customers. Explore the challenges they are facing and how that is impacting their behaviors and product decisions. And understand how recent events are shaping their expectations for the future of their business.
11:45am – 12:00pm | Great Lakes AB
Final Thoughts: Dave King
Dave King
Executive Director | HIRI