Print+Promo Distributor Connect—Scottsdale a Resounding Success

Print+Promo, sister publication to Promo Marketing Magazine and the leading source of business strategies for the distributor sales professional, concluded its first-ever Distributor Connect with tremendous results.

Distributor Connect offers unique opportunities for the best in the business. The inaugural event, held in Scottsdale, Arizona's luxurious Marriott Suites Old Town from May 5-7, paired some of the industry's top-selling distributors with leading print and promotional product suppliers for one-on-one sessions focused on making connections, making plans and making sales.

"We are so pleased to bring the Distributor Connect one-on-one event format to the Print+Promo community," said Nichole Stella, group president and publishing director of the Promo Marketing Media Group. "These events provide suppliers/manufacturers with a captive and prequalified audience of attendees who are hungry to build business and build relationships."

Jim Harvie, publisher of Print+Promo, shared these sentiments. "Print+Promo magazine wanted to launch an event that was not only beneficial to print distributors, but one that also offered suppliers the return on investment they've been seeking," he added. "After a great deal of planning, we've established an event with a unique and intimate format that works to the benefit of everyone who attended."

From Monday through Wednesday, more than 60 industry professionals participated in 20-minute, prescheduled meetings held in private supplier suites. In addition to a Welcome Reception on the Marriott Patio, attendees were treated to educational breakfast and lunch sessions featuring an impressive list of speakers that included: Vincent Mallardi, international chair of PBBA (Printing Brokerage/Buyers Association); Cliff Quicksell, sales and marketing consultant for iPROMOTEu; and Martin Varley, president and CEO of Trade Only. The first full day of meetings was capped off with a private dinner at Tommy V's.

"I and two members of my sales team recently attended the Distributor Connect event in Scottsdale. The format of the event was not only refreshing, it was informative," commented Tressa McLaughlin, president and CEO of IBF, A Safeguard Company, Boise, Idaho. "I had the opportunity to connect with each and every vendor to discuss their capabilities, unique products, vertical markets and ideas for current customers. I walked away feeling energized and ready to show our customers great ideas to help grow their businesses!"

Suppliers were also enthusiastic about the outcome of the Scottsdale event.

"As a company we've been trying to do something like Distributor Connect for years. It was a great venue-first-class-but more importantly the value we received is priceless," said Jim Magdaleno, health care product manager for TFP Data Systems, Oxnard, Calif. "Having both key partners and decision makers present, and time to discuss new revenue solutions was a win-win for all. Thank you, Print+Promo."

Tonya Carney, franchise marketing/trade show administrator at Bell, California-based Zoo Printing, agreed. "This is the best event I have been to, [and] I have been involved with trade shows and marketing for 28 years. Print+Promo knows how to put on an event. Congratulations," she remarked. "Every detail, down to the tape for shipping boxes out, was thought of. It was well worth the money. Our ROI was met within the first hour."

According to Stella, plans for a second Distributor Connect event in the fall are already in the works.

"This segment of the print industry, eager for innovation, received this event with such enthusiasm that we are delighted to announce a second Distributor Connect event November 5-7 in San Antonio," she stated.

Limited spaces are still available for qualified distributors interested in attending Print+Promo Distributor Connect — San Antonio. For more information, email Nichole Stella at nstella@napco.com or Jim Harvie at jharvie@napco.com.