3 Things You Missed at Print+Promo’s Distributor Connect in Fort Lauderdale
Earlier this month, Print+Promo kicked off its fifth year of Distributor Connect meetings in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. For this event, which ran May 9 through 11, attendees traveled to the luxurious Pelican Grand Beach Resort, where they were treated to ocean-view rooms just a few steps from the beach—and a whole lot of business opportunities.
Here’s what you missed if you weren’t there:
Networking, Networking and More Networking!
Not familiar with Distributor Connect? We’ve got you covered. (Check out Part 1 of Print+Promo’s Distributor Connect Cheat Sheet here.) Our event brings great people together to make great things happen. Distributor Connect pairs top-selling distributors with up to 25 well-known print and promotional product suppliers for one-on-one, 20-minute, pre-scheduled meetings in supplier suites—we’re talking guaranteed face time that you can’t get at large trade shows.
Let’s get this party started! Our Welcome Reception has officially begun. #DistributorConnect pic.twitter.com/z2TCGxdw7a
— Print+Promo (@GoPrintAndPromo) May 9, 2018
The good news doesn’t stop there. Distributor Connect attendees are given other chances to network, as well. Catered breakfasts and lunch, along with a private offsite dinner overlooking the scenic Intracoastal Waterway at Grateful Palate Catering & Events, are just a few examples of what Fort Lauderdale participants experienced.
Meaningful Conversations
Your meetings are what you make of them, but, of course, there are steps you can take to ensure your time is well spent. The extra effort paid off for our Fort Lauderdale attendees. Just ask, Jeremy Meyer, account director for GO2 Partners, Oak Brook, Ill., who went into the event with an open mind and a strategy.
“I’m extremely thankful for the chance to attend and participate in the Print+Promo Distributor Connect,” he said. “The opportunity to connect with suppliers one-on-one was so much more valuable than a traditional trade show environment. While at the meeting, I was able to discover new supplier partners to consider, discuss relevant projects and even locate several new, impactful ideas to present to my clients. I would absolutely attend again if provided the opportunity!”
Stacy Shapiro, senior account executive for Zagwear, Creating Product Experiences, Orangeburg, N.Y., also weighed in.
“Distributor Connect was the most valuable conference I have ever attended,” she shared. “The new suppliers I met, the amount I learned and the suggestions I received, specifically for my clients, was a value and experience that surpasses all others. I have expanded my network and now have many new avenues to explore and help grow my business.”
In addition to building new books of business, some distributors were able to reinvigorate existing relationships.
“I completely enjoyed the event and made several new supplier contacts with whom I will soon hopefully begin doing business,” said Jim Fitzgerald, president and owner of Service Forms and Graphics Inc., Burr Ridge, Ill. “There were also several suppliers at the event with whom my company already does business. Meeting with them was also of benefit to me to learn of other products and services they provide, which I can pursue [with] my customers.”
Promo Product Pavilion
New to Distributor Connect this year was our Promo Product Pavilion. We invited top promo suppliers to put their best products on display in the pavilion, as well as supporting information, for distributors to consider including in their next big client project. Access to some of the best promo products on the market plus supplier contact information equals new relationships.
Want to join us for a future Distributor Connect? You’ll have to act fact because we have only one meeting still open to distributors:
- Nov. 7-9, 2018 – Scottsdale, Ariz.
If you are interested in attending an upcoming Distributor Connect, contact Mike Cooper or Renee Brueggeman via email at distributorconnect@napco.com, or call Cooper at (215) 238-5434 and Brueggeman at (920) 716-3713. Complete the Distributor Connect inquiry questionnaire located here. For event information and testimonials, visit connect.goprintandpromo.com.
Print+Promo also is accepting contracts for this event from new suppliers. Don’t wait—only a few spaces remain. To learn more, contact Jim Harvie at jharvie@napco.com or (215) 238-5436.
Elise Hacking Carr is senior production editor for Print & Promo Marketing magazine, and managing editor for PRINTING United Journal.