2013 IWDC Sales & Purchasing Convention Recap!

May
31
2013

This year’s IWDC Sales & Purchasing Convention was another success and was held at the Grand Hyatt in San Antonio, Texas on May 21^st – 23^rd. We had a fantastic turnout of over two hundred Member and Vendor companies with over 500 in total attendance. Tuesday morning many attendees came in early to take advantage of tour of a local Toyota car manufacturing plant or a networking / relationship packed golf outing. Later on Tuesday all took part in a lively Western themed opening reception party which kicked off the official start of the convention. Many attendees tried the hand at Texas Holdem and of course…riding the mechanical bull! Everyone had a great time!

On Wednesday morning, the group took in a very valuable general session with Roger Neu, COO and Pete Gallagher, VP of Sales & Marketing, presenting select IWDC Member companies with IWDC’s annual “Member Engagement Awards” (2012 over 2011 Growth). Award categories were determined by the IWDC Member Engagement Committee and are designed to recognize Member Companies’ support of IWDC Vendor agreements and IWDC Member owned warehouse. This year’s winners were:


WESCO Gas & Welding Supply Co. of Prichard, AL - largest $ increase in overall purchases.	Four Corners Welding & Gas Supply of Gallup, NM - largest % increase in overall purchases.

WestAir Gases & Equipment of San Diego, CA - largest dollar increase in asset (Bulk Tank/Cylinder) purchases.	Northern Gases & Supplies of Pierceton, IN - largest % increase in asset purchases.

Technical Alloy & Industrial Gas Co., Ltd. of Houston, TX – largest % increase in IWDC warehouse purchases.	Fresno Oxygen & Welding Supplies of Fresno, CA - largest dollar increase in IWDC warehouse purchases.

After the Member Engagement Awards, the group was wowed by our dynamic and

energetic keynote speaker, Jack Daly, who shared best practices and stories about customer loyalty, personal motivation, winning and how to grow your individual businesses. In the afternoon, Members attended informative IWDC Diamond Sponsor Powwow presentations where select Vendor Partners conveyed key news and direction in fast paced, informative 20 minute sessions. Members then finished the afternoon at a New Products Display area where they both networked and learned about the latest products and services available from our Diamond Sponsor Vendors.

Thursday’s activities opened with an IWDC Member/Vendor breakfast followed by a “Thank You” to our much appreciated Diamond Vendor Sponsors who help us each year deliver the best Sales & Purchasing convention in the industry. IWDC Members were also given a presentation by Jessica Keck, Program Coordinator and Janette Powless, Graphics & Publishing, on how to navigate the “new” iwdc.coop website.

Thursday’s contact booth program opened at 10:15 a.m., where tremendous show discounts offered by our IWDC Vendor partners generated millions of dollars in sales in a five hour time period. In the evening, all IWDC Members, Staff and Vendors enjoyed a very nice closing dinner. Golf awards and vendor prizes were given away and then Pam Fread, Event Coordinator, announced next year’s Sales & Purchasing convention which is May 13^th – 15^th, 2014 at the Downtown Indianapolis Hyatt. There will be an optional track event at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway next year as well!

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