Denver, CO (June 22, 2016) – Attendees at the mid-year Group Merchandising Conference (GMC) focused on building relationships between distributors and manufacturers and previewing products at the Embassy Suites Chicago O’Hare Rosemont on June 20-22.
Distributors affiliated with PRO Group, Inc. met with manufacturers during 800 private 30-minute buyer/vendor appointments over the course of two days. Participants included 130 distributor and manufacturer attendees.
According to Steve Synnott, President and CEO of PRO Group, Inc., the GMC provides a venue to establish or enrich rapport with buyers from PRO Group Member Distributors across the country. Synnott observed that the format facilitates quality private meetings with time to explore advantages, benefits and features of each supplier’s offering. “The GMC’s focus on displays and in-store assortments will have an impact on the retail sales floors of the Hardware & Farm Stores, Paint & Decorating Retailers, and Lawn & Garden Centers supported by PRO Group Member Distributors in the third and fourth quarters this year.”
The conference provides an opportunity for distributors and manufacturers to discuss specific challenges and meet with new vendors that would like to do business with the group. The GMC is an excellent place for new and existing vendors to introduce their offering to the group member buyers according to Ed McKinney, Director of Purchasing at Wallace Hardware Company. “The setting is perfect in that you can privately meet with each vendor and focus on the opportunities to grow our business together. We are always looking for new opportunities.”
The conference is a great venue for manufacturers to introduce new products and meet with multiple distributors in one location. “I truly believe the PRO Group Merchandising Conference is one of the most effective means for getting manufacturers and distributors together without distraction in all my years in the industry,” said Brad Tukey, Vice President of Sales & Marketing at American Power Pull. “The 30 minute meetings in suites are very effective. It is a chance for us to show some physical product while having each distributor’s undivided attention.”