TriMega’s Focus 2009 National Convention Delivered Record Turnout and Results

TriMega once again set new records at their National Convention and Tradeshow, Focus 2009 (www.trimega.org/focus), which took place at the Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa in Hollywood, Florida last week. The hugely successful event drew total attendance of 1000 people and boasted, among other things, their largest tradeshow floor ever featuring the latest products from over 115 office products suppliers, wholesalers and business partners. Feedback on the event has been tremendous. “A great convention! Everything went so smoothly and every detail was so well coordinated,” said Chris Kyle, Jr. of Kyle Office Supply in Tuscaloosa, AL. “I feel fortunate to belong to a progressive group like TriMega,” he commented.

Focus 2009 exhibitors were also very enthusiastic about their experience at the convention. “TriMega certainly has a knack for creating engaging, entertaining and very effective industry events,” said Terry Marquardt, Sales and Marketing Manager for 3M Office Supplies Division one of the show’s exhibitors. “And the important business and networking benefits are never overlooked. Our traffic on the show floor was excellent and the format provided a terrific opportunity for 3M to deliver our new product message” he commented. “It was also a huge order writing event for us. The ordering activity and volume well exceeded our expectations,” he concluded.

“TriMega produced an event that delivered in the areas dealers needed it most. The seminars were relevant and valuable. The tradeshow was productive and offered great buying deals and the general session presentations were inspiring,” remarked dealer attendee Diane Mangano of Kershaw’s Inc. in Spokane, WA. “The meeting was simply great and as always we came back energized and with the real feeling that we are not alone in our efforts,” she concluded.

Exhibitor participants in Focus 2009 gave the event rave reviews for being successful at driving dealer involvement. “HON has been a long time supporter of TriMega’s National Convention, however this was my first time participating in this annual event. What struck me about Focus 2009 was the quality of the event,” said Ric Anderson, Vice President of Sales from The HON Company, a Focus 2009 exhibitor and sponsor. “The quality of networking, the quality of people visiting our booth, the tradeshow floor and the quality of the event execution in general was all top-notch. It was this emphasis on quality by TriMega that really made Focus 2009 a tremendously productive and worthwhile event for The HON Company,” he concluded.

“What was especially encouraging at Focus 2009, was the overall mood of the attendees. Dealers, exhibitors and everyone there was upbeat and confident about their future and the future of the TriMega,” commented Karen Bogart of Convenience Office Supply in Austin, TX and TriMega Board Member. “In the tough times of 2009, this attitude is especially refreshing,” Bogart concluded.

From the opening welcome reception through to the finale event, there were many reasons why TriMega dealers were so enthusiastic. In his welcoming remarks to members at the opening session, TriMega President Charlie Cleary described an organization that despite tough times has still had a positive 2009 and very encouraging momentum. He expressed excitement for the future of the group and its independent dealer members in light of the recently announced TriMega/S.P. Richards Strategic Sourcing Alliance, the group’s National Accounts Program and performance of dealer members during 2009. “TriMega members are better positioned through TriMega programs to be truly competitive and better positioned to regain market share,” Charlie Cleary commented. “At this event, there are walking examples and real life case studies all around of dealers who are competing and prospering in their markets,” he concluded.

Some Highlights from the opening address delivered by TriMega President Charlie Cleary included:

• He remarked that TriMega continues to be the low-cost, lowoverhead, dealer-run, not for profit buying group that exists to provide value to its members.

• TriMega independents are fairing better than the publicly traded entities, down just 6% through September.

• Despite being off top line for 2009, rebate growth continues. After paying out record rebates of $34 million last year, TriMega is forecasting current year distributions will increase 3% reaching a new record of $35 million for 2009.

• He shared that despite those that believe TriMega has made a significant strategic shift, the reality is, it is an evolution, not a revolution. TriMega has always been a buying group focused on direct buying. Evolving that strategic focus on buying leads to the new strategic Sourcing Alliance with SP Richards that takes dealers to the next level in buy-side programs. To support these strategic buying initiatives, we are enhancing our complimentary marketing materials to jointly drive e-content and e-merchandising in ways never seen before.

Other event highlights included:

• A spot-on keynote address by former professional baseball player turned best selling author and speaker, Mike Robbins and his address entitled “Focus on the Good Stuff…the Power of Appreciation”.

• A powerful lineup of speakers hosting seminars and discussions on topics covering critical business issues, growth opportunities for dealers, and personal development topics for all attendees.

• An intense, high-energy one-day tradeshow in which Focus 2009 exhibitors wrote a record $5M in show orders during the day

• The tradeshow was followed by a prize reception where thousands of dollars worth of prizes were awarded, capped of with a HON sponsored 2010 Ford Focus awarded to winner, Tom Guertin of INK Products in Chicopee, MA.

• A wonderful “Moon over Miami” Yacht Party sponsored by United Stationers.

Michael Morris, Vice President of Marketing for TriMega commented, “We absolutely could not have been more pleased with the attendance, energy and the results of Focus 2009. It says a lot about our supplier partners, dealer members and industry friends that we were able to host our largest and most successful convention ever – in these times. With Focus 2009, we wanted to have a razor sharp focus on opportunities while at the same time having fun. Well we’re happy to say we achieved that goal last week in Florida. Of course, we look forward to being able to set new records again in 2010,” he concluded.

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