Real Deal Expo 2007 Updates

February 23, 2007

Business and Education Bring Value to AWMA EXPO Participants

AWMA REAL DEAL EXPO attendees said Friday that they benefited from the educational programming provided during the three-day event in Las Vegas, as well as from the opportunity to do business on the trade show floor.

"This is always a good event for us," said Jeff Blalock, Vice-President, Director of Convenience Store Sales, Flowers Specialty Snack Sales. "It’s a great opportunity for us to be in the same room as all of our customers."

REAL DEAL EXPO Prize Winners Share Their Excitement with the Crowds!

AWMA is grateful to all of the companies which donated prizes for the REAL DEAL EXPO auctions. On Thursday evening, an exciting Live Auction was held with auctioneers Steve Shing, GSC Enterprises, and NFL legend Randy White. Two stamping machines and a luxury travel package were auctioned off thanks to the generosity of the following companies:

RED Stamp Inc. & Tax-Right L.L.C.
Meyercord Revenue, Inc.
U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company

Special Thanks to our REAL DEAL EXPO Sponsors

AWMA wishes to thank the following companies for sponsoring the 2007 REAL DEAL EXPO. Your outstanding support made the REAL DEAL EXPO an excellent forum for the convenience distribution industry and we thank you!

Altadis U.S.A.
Atkinson Candy Company
BDI Marketing/Candy Dynamics
Cadbury Adams USA
Conwood Sales Co., LLC
Mrs. Freshley’s Snacks
The Hershey Company
John Middleton, Inc.
Lorillard Tobacco Company
Meyercord Revenue
Philip Morris USA
ProCat Management Services, LLC
R.E.D. Stamp Inc./Tax-Right LLC
R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
Retalix USA

Controlling Your Destiny: AWMA Session Focuses on Strategies to Improve Profits

Realistic and effective strategies to help distributors improve profits were presented Friday to a jam-packed AWMA EXPO session, "Controlling Your Destiny."

Industry consultant Kit Dietz, co-author of AWMA’s 2006 Distributor Value Equation study, urged distributors to change their thinking and embrace strategies that can reverse the trend of steadily declining profits. Failure to do so, he cautioned, will mean "the end of the line" for some companies.

February 22, 2007

A New Direction for AWMA: Championing Distributor Value & Building Profitability

An aggressive plan to constantly remind suppliers and customers of the value provided by convenience distributors and to increase profitability for member companies was outlined Thursday at the AWMA Real Deal EXPO by AWMA Chairman Jode Bunce.

Political Challenges Outlined by AWMA President; Members Urged to Attend ‘Day on the Hill’

With Democrats now in control of Congress, distributors are faced with a series of difficult legislative challenges, warned AWMA President & CEO Scott Ramminger, who also urged members to participate in AWMA’s "Day on the Hill" program slated for May 16-17 in Washington, DC.

AWMA Chairman Outlines 2006 Accomplishments

During 2006, AWMA made its highest priority the challenge of delivering programs and services that benefit distributor members and provide opportunities to improve the entire supply chain, AWMA Chairman Jode Bunce told EXPO attendees Thursday.

He offered these examples:

Football Legend Mike Ditka Wows AWMA EXPO Fans

Football Hall of Fame player and coach Mike Ditka received a standing ovation from an overflow crowd Thursday morning after he recounted some of his experiences in the NFL and shared his philosophy for life: Attitude, Character and Enthusiasm (ACE).

Ditka, who played for the World Champion Dallas Cowboys in 1972, was an assistant coach when Dallas won the Super Bowl in 1977 and was head coach of the Chicago Bears in 1986, recounted many of his life experiences--from being the son of a tough, discipline-minded steel mill worker to becoming an all-pro NFL star from 1961-1966.

Distributors Seek Great Deals & New Opportunities at AWMA EXPO

AWMA members hit the AWMA REAL DEAL EXPO show floor in Las Vegas Thursday seeking new ways to build business and profits as well as stock up on great deals, giving suppliers a terrific opportunity to connect with customers old and new and promote their latest products and services.

February 21, 2007

Silent Auction Offerings Capture Members’ Interest

A wide array of electronic, sporting, tobacco, fine coffee, jewelry, luggage and art objects have been generously donated to AWMA’s Silent Auction. EXPO attendees have between now and Friday noon to place their winning bids. All proceeds will go to benefit the AWMA Government Affairs program, including the upcoming "Day on the Hill" program in May.

Building Profits With Smart Buying Strategies

The 2007 AWMA Real Deal EXPO opened here Wednesday with a special program that offered distributors concrete solutions for increasing profits by fine-tuning the way they make better purchasing decisions and taking advantage of new product opportunities.

Silent Auction Offerings Capture Members’ Interest

A wide array of electronic, sporting, tobacco, fine coffee, jewelry, luggage and art objects have been generously donated to AWMA’s Silent Auction. EXPO attendees have between now and Friday noon to place their winning bids. All proceeds will go to benefit the AWMA Government Affairs program, including the upcoming "Day on the Hill" program in May.

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