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If Christmas is coming, can the big RV distributor shows be far behind? Within days after the start of the new year, RV dealers will have an opportunity to take advantage of show pricing on parts and accessories ordered at any various distributor events.
Bell Industries kicks of the 2008 show season with its distributor show at the Kalahari Waterpark in Wisconsin Dells, Wis., Jan. 7 to 10.
A regional distributor serving dealers in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan, the Bell Show is often a bellwether show for industry suppliers seeking to gauge the confidence of RV dealers leading into the summer.
StagParkway visits the Big Easy
Jan. 15 to 17, StagParkway puts on the largest RV warehouse distributor event in the country in New Orleans. This year's show will feature more than 130 suppliers and three days of networking opportunities.
StagParkway will also offer a day of educational training Jan. 15 with more than a dozen classes targeting the business development or product training needs of dealers. Sessions will focus on integrated:
- Merchandising solutions
- Marketing solutions
- Service parts solutions
- Direct mail solutions
- Sales solutions
Attendance at RV University costs just $99 which includes all seminars, lunch and accommodation costs for the night before. Upon completion of each product seminar, dealers will earn one $50-credit voucher toward purchases made at the supplier's booth during the show.
The show officially kicks off with a reception Jan. 15 from 6 to 8 p.m. A welcome address is slated for 8 to 9 a.m. on Jan. 16 at which time StagParkway will crown the 2008 Lifetime Value Award winner.
Following a day of trading in the exhibit area, participants will enjoy a real Mardi Gras parade with floats, marching bands and beads on their way to a dinner featuring genuine New Orleans music and food.
Dealers can pick up last-minute bargains Jan. 17 when exhibits will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information about the StagParkway 2008 Business Solutions conference, call (404) 349-1918.
Coast celebrates 20 years
When dealers converge in Las Vegas Feb. 6 and 7, they'll be in the right city to help Coast Distribution celebrate its 20th anniversary. This year's event takes place at the Rio All-Suites Hotel and Casino, which recently doubled the size of its convention facility.
Hundreds of RV and marine parts and accessories suppliers will showcase thousands of products. More than 3,000 people representing more than 1,000 retail centers are expected to attend the event. Strategic seminars will focus on various aftermarket products as well as business-to-business strategy and direct mail marketing.
"Coast's customers traditionally stock up with pre-season inventory during the two full days of buying time," said Pete Lawless, marketing manager for Coast. "They'll also have a chance to attend product seminars and exchange ideas with other dealers and the industry's top manufacturers."
The show won't cost dealers anything either. By committing to place orders totaling $35,000 at the show, Coast will pick up the cost for two airfares and three nights of room accommodation. Other incentive plans are available, too. For more information, call Coast Distribution at (866) 302-0905 or visit www.coastshow.com.
NTP travels to Texas
One year after opening a new distribution center in Dallas, NTP Distribution will host its annual conference Feb. 18 to 22 in Austin, Texas.
Known as the Live Music Capital of the World, Austin will offer some rockin' opportunities for RV dealers. The show takes place at the Austin Convention Center starting with a series of management workshops Feb. 18. Keynote presenters include:
- Paul Cummings will deliver a high-energy presentation guaranteed to provide life-changing strategies to participants by encouraging them to embrace leading-edge technology.
- Lisa Ford is sure to impress attendees with a hard-hitting presentation on customer service, leadership, team issues and change.
The show continues Feb. 19 with a day of vendor workshops designed to teach dealers key selling and service points for some of the most popular products on the market today. The show officially opens that night with a dessert reception in the exhibit area.
The buying begins Feb. 20 during a full day of deal making interrupted only by NTP's annual awards luncheon to recognize the best-performing dealers in the company.
Dealers wrap up their orders Feb. 21 before enjoying a lively and memorable dinner with comedian Vic Henley, who was seen on Comedy Central and the Late Show with David Letterman. That night features a genuine Texas Hold'em tournament in which prizes are awarded to top chip winners.
"This year's conference is going to be the best yet," said Mark Jenson, vice president of sales and marketing. "We have some extraordinary events planned and incredible speakers for our management workshops and product training seminars."
A variety of incentive packages have been developed to make it possible for dealers to attend the show for free. They should contact their NTP sales consultant for details, call NTP at (503) 570-5402 or visit www.ntpdistribution.com/conference.
author: By Greg Gerber