News

2011 VAL-TEST SHOW

Wow…As if enduring the sluggish Economy was not enough, VAL-TEST Members and Suppliers had to also battle Mother Nature to get to The 2011 VAL-TEST SHOW.

Record Snow fall in 2/3rds of the Nation threatened to cancel the 49^th meeting of the VAL-TEST Group. But by delaying the activities a half day, we were able to accommodate all late arriving members and all but one supplier.

The show turned out well and the Naples weather was good. It represents a great start to the year.

Pictured above: (A stranded Auto on Lake Shore Drive in Chicago, and the beach in Naples).

 

At the abbreviated member meeting, we reviewed 2010, and then previewed our plans for 2011.

During the meeting we revealed our updated advertising program, which now includes an attached order form and an advertising opportunity for our dealers and contractors.

At the Booth Sessions, approx. 100 suppliers displayed their programs to 55 VAL-TEST members. The show specials came in handy for those members who used them to stock up for the season. Otherwise our members were able to discuss their plans, express their concerns, and negotiate one on one with our suppliers. This annual point of contact is invaluable.

Also, during our Booth Sessions our members voted for their favorite new products. The winners were:

Hardware Innovations for their Sylvania 5 in 1, Timer with Motion Sensors and Alarms

AND

Ironwood Designs for their Bloxygen, Oxygen Blocking gas for left over Paint.

Pictured (Denise Ackerman Director of Retail Sales for Hardware Innovations, the makers of Sylvania Timers, and Steven Zawalick, Owner of IronWood Designs the makers of Bloxygen).

 

The receptions gave everyone a chance to catch up with friends and do a little networking.

Each year, we present awards to suppliers who have done an exceptional job in support of our group efforts. At this year’s reception, our 2011 Supplier appreciation awards went to Jack Crabtree of the Wm. Barr Co. and Lynn Wallis of Apex Tool.

Pictured (Bob Gurgos of VAL-TEST, Jack Crabtree of WM Barr and Lynne Wallis of Apex Tool and Russell Meeks of VAL-TEST).

 

2011 OPEN DECOR SHOW

The Second annual OPEN DECOR SHOW was a success with 12 OPEN DECOR Suppliers displaying their programs to approx. 30 installer customers of our 8 Distributors.

This year, we featured CEU classes for Designers and Workshops for the Installers. The CEU classes were taught by OPEN DECOR Distributors and Installers. These classes were about the different Decorative Coating options with a heavy emphasis on their impact on LEEDS credits. ASID and IDS members were in attendance.

The Workshops were taught by OPEN DECOR Suppliers, giving students a hands-on experience with their selected finish.