Annual Shows

This year's Show featured 115 VAL-TEST suppliers, 50 VAL-TEST members and 8 PRO Group members. While we were down 5 suppliers and 5 members, the show orders were almost even with last year. Pent-up demand caused by slim inventories and bad weather helped to prop things up.

The Booth sessions are the best opportunity that our Members and Suppliers have to make plans for the year.  The discussions were cautiously positive, and the most common theme that we heard was that business was slow but steady.

At the Member meeting, we reviewed 2008. We announced 4 new members, 31 new suppliers, and 14 accrued volume rebates. We also discussed current program issues. The suppliers who had the best growth in 2008 were, The Plastics Group, Stanley National, Reaves, and Dynamic Products. Also, during the member meeting, we previewed our marketing plans for 2009

Normally, our members use the Show Specials to load up for the intrinsic demand of the Spring Season. Unfortunately, this year's spring demand may not be so intrinsic. And, while we have faith in our new President's Economic Stimulus Plan, we know that it will take time to work. If our members are going to sell the products that they bought on Show Special, they will need to create some new demand. So we decided to introduce a Stimulus Program of our own.

We are running Economic Stimulus Circulars for 30 members who attended the Show. This is a March and April promotion that features the products that were put on Show Special. This is the largest number of circulars that we have run at one time. Between the Show, and our Economic Stimulus Promotion, we are providing our Members and Suppliers a real one-two punch to our 2009 first half sales.

During the Annual Group Net Working Reception, three outstanding people were acknowledged for their contributing efforts. Annual Supplier Appreciation Awards went to: Mike Martin of Midwest Fastener, and John Avgoustis of DQB. The Annual Member Appreciation Award went to Ed Glowark of Blackwood Supply.   Thank You, and Congratulations to these award winners, they join a 'who's who' of Industry Icons who have taken home these awards.

50 Suppliers participated in our Annual New Products Show Case. Attending Members voted for their favorites. The race was tight, and the winners were: Tray Products, for their TrayStation adjustable leg, Tool and Paint Tray, and Stringliner Company for their Cord Wiz Pro, power cord winders.

The Weather was great, (75 degrees and partly cloudy), The sunsets were spectacular---The Shrimp was plump, the Tenderloin was tender. ----The Meetings were informative, the Show Specials were sharp, Orders were timely, and the Plans were positive.

Thank you again to those who participated. With the economy being what it is we are especially grateful for attendance.

The 2010 VAL-TEST Show and Member Meeting will also be held at the Naples Beach Resort. It is our intensions to make this upcoming event the BEST ever.

2008 Annual Val-Test Meeting and Show

Thank you to the attendees of the 2008 VAL-TEST SHOW, arguably the best we have ever had. A great start to the year.

On Sunday we started the SHOW with our annual, advisory meeting. This years's meeting was attended by, (Members):Aubuchon Hdwe, H.D.I, and Leight Sales, and (Suppliers): Zinsser, Truper and Masterlock.

At the Sunday afternoon MEMBER MEETING:

We discussed a number of topics including the 31 new suppliers to the group. This is the largest number of new suppliers in a year and it is the largest number of new suppliers doing an excess of $100,000.00 in sales to the group.

Later we had a 'What is Hot' session. Several 'HOT' suppliers were discussed along with industry trends. And yes, there are some good trends.

We introduced the Supreme Privileges Program and had a presentation on this subject by Jeff Price from Fennell Promotions. This looks to be a good promotional program for 2008, and it appears that 5 members have already signed up for the program.

Finally, Nick Cichielo, gave a presentation on dealer education classes that he can conduct at Distributor Shows and Meetings. Again, several members asked for his presence at their Events.

On Monday:

The Exhibits opened and discussions were held between 120 suppliers, 56 VAL-TEST members and 9 PRO members. Hundreds of opportunities were discovered, and millions of dollars of show orders were placed.

At the SHOW Reception, supplier appreciation awards were given to:

Burt Kozak of Easy Power, Harvey Baumgarten of Bestt-Liebco, Tom Williams of Gilmour Group, and Tony Moretti of Pre-Valve.

An industry appreciation award was given to Larry Mugar of L&D, who went through a lot of adversity last year, he hung in there, and is all the better for not bailing out.

The Annual VAL-TEST Reception was a great place to for our members and suppliers to schmooze. The atmosphere was relaxed and congenial. The development of these relationships helps our members get better deals. A special hats off to the resort for their offerings of shrimp and tenderloin. The room stayed crowded until late in the evening.

After Tuesday's Exhibits

We broke for golf, and what a beautiful day it was, partly cloudy, 79 degrees, with a slight breeze. The winning foursome was: Jeff Klopp of Deco Supply, Bruce and Carol Cozewith of Sipersteins, and Paul Gauthier of W.J. Dennis.

Thanks to the contestants and voters of the THE NEW PRODUCTS EXHIBITION. And the winners were: From Sundries:Hinge Mask by Pro Painting Inc. From Hardware: The Adjustable Pocket Wrench by Scientific Molding Corporation.

Congratulations to all the winners.

Thank you again to all attendees, your attendance made the 2008 VAL-TEST Show a world-class event.

2007 Show

Now that the VAL-TEST Show in the books, we can report that 2007 is off to a GREAT START.

Welcome to sunny Arizona, only 90 miles from Mexico.

On Sunday evening there was a snowstorm, the likes of which they had not seen in 33 years. This caused a number of flight delays and cancellations, and on Monday, the Resort closed their golf course for the first time in their history. Things were looking dismal.

However, since the Monday and Tuesday Morning booth sessions were indoors we weren’t really bothered. In fact, by the time of our Tuesday afternoon golf outing, the sun came out, melted all of the snow, and it turned out to be a nice day and a nice event.

• An updated VIRTUAL VAN PROGRAMS that will tie it in with our member’s events.

• An Automated Return Goods Management program that members can use to cut the costs of returning defective and overstocked merchandise.

• An opportunity for the VAL-TEST HARDWARE DIVISION to co-sponsor a merchandising show with the PRO HARDWARE GROUP in June of 2008.

During the Monday and Tuesday Booth Sessions, our 50 attending members met with 120 Suppliers to discuss opportunities, and to place Show orders. The one-on-one negotiations are becoming the most valuable part of the show... this interaction with the suppliers isn’t something that you can just mail in.

For the last several years we have sponsored a new products contest. This year, there were 34 products entered.

After examining the display, VAL-TEST members voted, and the winners were: Energizer, for their emergency cell phone charger, and Shurline for their Teflon coated paint tray...Congratulations to the winners.

During the main party we honored two VAL-TEST supplier salesmen for their bravery in the line of duty. They were:

Dennis Kruszka of Irwin, and John Callinan of Zinsser.

Val Coppo of Pearson Distributing also received an appreciation award for his years of assistance to the VAL-TEST group. And congratulations to Val for achieving the American Business Dream; he was able to pass his business to his son’s.

Congratulations and thank you to the honorees.

Pictured from left to right: Paul Melzer, Russell Meeks, John Callinan, Val Coppo, Dennis Kruszka, Joanne Luce, and Bob Gurgos.

Wednesday morning, there were member and manufacturer individual appointments. While few in numbers, these can be very valuable for members who need extra time with specific suppliers.

On Wednesday afternoon, we had a MYSTERY BOOTH and VIRTUAL VAN drawing, and the winner is:

Paul Jordan of Herzog Supply.  Congratulations to Paul, who wins an expenses paid trip to the next VAL-TEST SHOW in 2008.

Thank you to all who attended the Show, especially those who re-booked your way through the delays and cancellations. Your attendance helped make the show a success.

Next year’s Show will be held at the

NAPLES BEACH AND GOLF RESORT.

We promise...no snow.

2006 Annual Val-Test Meeting and Show
All Divisions
January 22-25, 2006
The Registry Resort
Naples, FL

At the recently held 2006 VAL-TEST SHOW, 122 manufacturers met with 58 distributors for three days, at the REGISTRY RESORT in Naples, Florida.

During the General Membership Meeting, VAL-TEST distributors discussed the group’s buying programs, and made their marketing plans for the second half of 2006.

During the exhibits, manufacturers and members discussed business and wrote orders. Manufacturers report that this was an excellent order writing show, and the Distributors claim, “The show deals were great”. Also there were 61 new products on display. The distributors were invited to vote for their favorites, and the winners were:

1st Place: Global Technologies for their "Demo Bags" and

2nd Place: Cooper Tools for their "Rapid Stick Adjustable Wrench"

During the Grand Reception, VAL-TEST members honored several individuals for their long-term support of the group, the honorees were:

Jim Connolly of GE Lighting, Richard Riggsbee of Reaves, John McLaughlin of Dap, Rick Madsen of Stanley Tool, and Chet Hiner formerly of Savogran. (Pictured below)

Last year's show....

2005 Annual Val-Test Meeting and Show
All Divisions
January 25th - January 28th, 2005
Loews Coronado Bay Resort
San Diego, CA

The 2005 VAL-TEST SHOW was held at the LOEWS CORONADO BAY RESORT in San Diego California. During the three-day event, one hundred and thirty manufacturers met with sixty VAL-TEST distributors. Attendees used this venue to finalize 2005 marketing programs.

During the Show's Grand Reception a number of companies and attendees were honored. Out of seventy submissions to the New Products Competition the winners were:

• SUPER KNIVE for their ULTRA CUTTER
• PACIFIC HANDI CUTTER for their QUICK BLADE DISPENSER
• STANLEY WORKS for their new LED Flashlight

Industry appreciation awards went to:

• Nick Cichielo of the PAINT AND DECORATING RETAILERS ASSOCIATION
• Jim Wilson of the ROBERT BOSCH TOOL COMPANY

And the winner of the booth attendance competition was PERFECTION PAINT.