HARDI Quarterly Association Update: 2026 Q1

Join Talbot Gee as he recaps an action-packed quarter at HARDI HQ! Watch the video for an update on all things HARDI or browse the highlights below to catch up on our recent achievements and member resources.

HARDI HQ Updates:

Board Leadership & Onboarding

In late January, HARDI hosted its 2026 Board Chair, Lauren Roberts (cfm Distributors), along with new board members John White (ARS) and Jeff Underwood (RectorSeal) for orientation and onboarding.

New Senior AI Advisor - Mandy Long

A significant development this quarter is the appointment of Mandy Long as Senior AI Advisor. In her new role, Mandy will provide ongoing content and guidance to help members better understand and navigate AI. For members seeking tailored strategy or implementation guidance, Mandy is also available for independent advisory engagements.

“Myths & Misperceptions” – Second Edition Coming Soon

The second edition of “Myths & Misperceptions” publication is scheduled for release by the end of Q1. The first edition was the largest publication HARDI has ever produced, and this new edition is expected to be even more substantial. The findings are already shaping how HARDI supports members’ frontline teams.

Upcoming HARDI Events

• Congressional Fly-In
  April 20-21 | Washington, DC

• Focus Conference
  May 12-14 | Clearwater, FL

• Emerging Leaders Conference
  July 14-16 | Charlotte, NC

Real Advocacy Happens at Congressional Fly-In

The Congressional Fly-In (April 20–21 in Washington, D.C.) is especially important this year, and is taking place a month earlier than usual. HARDI leadership can emphasize enough the importance of participation. If you're not able to attend, make sure that your organization has representation.

The process is designed to be simple:

• Bring your business expertise and perspective.

• Our government affairs team handles the logistics and preparation.

• We brief you on the issues, you show up and tell your story.

Market Intelligence & Benchmarking

The 2026 State of the Channel Report is available for purchase. Don't pass up on the industry's most comprehensive yearly analysis, providing industry-wide manufacturing, distribution, and contractor insights all in one report.

The biannual Compensation & Benefits Survey is open and free for distributors. Participation provides essential benchmarking data to compare pay and benefits against competitors and adjacent industries—critical for informed hiring and compensation decisions.

Talent Development & Training

HARDI has significantly expanded its talent development offerings from members. From new Certification Programs (both private and public) to refining our HVACR online course library in HARDI HEAT.U, the Talent Development team has gone the extra mile to provide best-in-class training solutions for members.

Alongside the expansion of these new training resources, the Talent team is also available for consultations. Let us know what your pain points are and the Talent team will help you navigate them.

Quick list of upcoming public Certification Programs:

• Dynamic Sales Leadership
  March 12-18 | Columbus, OH

• Counter Sales Specialist
  March 31-April1 | Columbus, OH

• People Leader
  April 7-8 | Columbus, OH

• Inside Sales Excellence
  April 28-29 | Columbus, OH

Keep an eye out for our public programs in Fall as they become available.

How do I stay up to date on all things HARDI?

There is a lot happening when it comes to HARDI member resources and events. So how can members keep up with it all?

• Looking for more on HARDI and industry events? Go to the HARDI Events Calendar for dates, times, and registration links.

• Looking for more on a specific industry topic, explore HARDI's News & Insights for the latest news and insights.