LAS VEGAS – Distributors and their suppliers from across the nation swooped into Las Vegas yesterday for the 2008 AWMA REAL DEAL EXPO, which officially gets underway today at the Las Vegas Hilton.

“We have a sold-out show and we had a waiting list,” said Dick Dunham, Vice President - Operations of Stephenson Wholesale Company, who officially takes over as AWMA chairman today. Looking over the crowd at a jam packed opening reception Wednesday night, he said, “All of these people are here to do business with the people with whom they need to do business. We’re on a roll right now.”

Dunham commended the work of outgoing Chairman Jode Bunce, Vice President, Cigarettes, Eby-Brown Company, who led an effort over the past year to help distributors improve their profitability. “I think the association is doing a fine job and I want to build on what Jode and past chairmen have done,” he explained. “Improving distributor profitability is a priority and it will continue to be a priority.”

“I just want to see AWMA continue working on this profitability effort,” said Bunce. “It’s essential that we keep this going.”

AWMA President Scott Ramminger said he was confident this year’s EXPO will be “one of the best in years.” Noting the sold-out condition of the trade show, he said, “This is a great event for both distributors and manufacturers.”

Suppliers and distributors alike were optimistic as the 2008 REAL DEAL EXPO got underway.

“I really like the direction that AWMA is taking in emphasizing profitability and helping distributors find ways to improve their bottom line,” said Justin Erickson, President, Harbor Wholesale Grocery. “We have made that our focal point at our company, and the results are becoming evident. AWMA is providing great information with its studies and reports, and they are really helpful. And it’s great to see the excitement and enthusiasm here at AWMA once again.”

One of the major attractions of the EXPO is the opportunity it provides for distributors and manufacturers to do business together. “The main thing that we achieve is to get with our long time customers and friends and talk about what they are trying to achieve and how we can help them do that,” said Gary Jarvis, Retalix.

This year’s EXPO is especially exciting for Sarah Atkinson Ramirez, who is in her first week working in marketing and communications in the Atkinson Candy Company, headed by her father, Eric Atkinson.

“We hope to sell lots of candy,” she grinned, noting that it was her first show as a fulltime employee of the family firm.

“She first came to this show when she was a six month-old baby,” her dad said. “We carried her in a little basket. Now, she’s here working. And I’m here to meet with my friends.”

For more information on attending the AWMA REAL DEAL EXPO, contact customer service at either 800-564-4220 or 703-449-6418 or awmaregistration@jspargo.com