Great Deals at REAL DEAL EXPO! Top Prize Winners, Too! photo by David Hathcox Carolyn McIntyre, Jackson Wholesale, Jackson, KY, won the grand prize check for $5,000 Friday afternoon. Not only did wholesale distributors from across America make great contacts and renew business relationships at AWMA’s 2005 REAL DEAL EXPO in Las Vegas, but many took advantage of terrific show deals and uncovered new products and business opportunities for their companies. On top of that, some lucky attendees won great prizes—including a $5,000 check taken home by Carolyn McIntyre, Jackson Wholesale, Jackson, KY. "Oh my God, I’m shaking all over," Carolyn said as her husband, Dan, the company’s president, looked on. "You almost made me pass out," he laughed. Carolyn was the grand prize winner in a drawing on the show floor Friday afternoon. A real live Elvis, decked out in a tight red outfit with fancy gold trim, had drawn her name from the drum. Asked what she planned to do with the money, Carolyn said she intended to head for the slot machines, but then said she’d give some of it to her two teenage daughters. Meanwhile, Dan McIntyre was happy with the productivity and value of the EXPO--including the educational sessions, Thursday evening’s Chairman’s Gala and the business he was able to do with vendors. "I found some new products and a new tobacco program, too," he said. The second place cash prize winner Friday was Nicole Weber, of Quality Distribution Network, Randolph, NJ. She planned to bypass the gaming tables and the slot machines and put her $2,500 winnings towards a new house. photo by David Hathcox "Hot Damn! I won a laptop," said Dave Wagers, Idaho Candy Co. after receiving his new computer from the Buyer Rewards program. "Hot Damn! I won a laptop," yelled Dave Wagers, Idaho Candy Co., Boise, ID, when he was presented with a Toshiba Satellite laptop computer, the top prize in Friday’s Buyer Reward drawing. Under that program, distributors received coupons from participating vendors which were placed in a drum and drawn – once again, by a very cool Elvis. "This show has been great," said Wagers. "I made several new line extensions that I didn’t even know existed. We get something new every time. That’s the value of this show." Brian Idesvold, vice president, Henry Foods, Alexandria, MN, won a Sony DVD player in the same drawing. "I bought enough stuff to pay for my trip through the deals," he grinned. "Plus, I made three or four contacts with companies that may be able to help us institute some new efficiencies for our business." Paul Noorda, president, Gem State Distributors, Pocatello, ID, an AWMA director, won a Sony Digital Cyber Shot camera. "We have actually established relationships with two new vendors and found a new complete coffee program, and are looking forward towards working with these folks over the years," he said. Winning an IPOD Photo 40GB player was Mike Crouch, Wilson Wholesale, Lawton, OK. "I’ve bought a lot of stuff," he said. "Some of these things will save us some money, and I’ve come away with a lot of new ideas." Winning a 20 GB IPOD was Joe Bauer, owner, Amster-Keitz, Canton, OH, who said he succeeded in finding new items to help keep his company on the cutting edge. "We like the deals," he added, "and the camaraderie that we find here is great." Tony Bolinger, a candy buyer at Campbell Wholesale Co., Tulsa, OK, didn’t win any prizes, but he was delighted with the show deals that he found. "Plus, it was great to be able to talk to people and get caught up on what other people are doing," he said. Peter Kastner, vice president of sales, American Commissary Supply-US, Inc., Russellville, AR, was happy to have met several new vendors who can help with his company’s business, providing products to prison commissaries for resale to inmates. "There were also 15 or 20 of our current vendors here, and we have been able to take advantage of some terrific show deals," he said. For more information on attending the 2007 AWMA REAL DEAL EXPO, contact customer service at either 800-564-4220 or 703-449-6418 or awmaregistration@jspargo.com