PRO GROUP, VAL-TEST TO CO-HOST JUNE GROUP MERCHANDISING CONFERENCE
Distributor Attendance Expected to Increase by 50 Percent
Atlanta, Georgia (February 7, 2007) - Distributor members of the Schaumburg, Illinois-based Val-Test will join Denver-based PRO Group, Inc. distributors at the Group Merchandising Conference (GMC) June 11-13, 2007 at the Embassy Suites Hotel in downtown Atlanta.
The event is expected to draw approximately 250 home improvement industry executives, including 35 distributor companies and 90 key manufacturing companies.
PRO Group launched the Group Merchandising Conference two years ago in response to distributor and manufacturer requests for meetings between buyers and sellers.
"PRO Group executives invited Val-Test to participate in the event as a way to make participating even more meaningful for manufacturers," said PRO Group President and Chief Operating Officer, Steve Synnott.
Synnott explained, "As our Group Merchandising Conference evolved and continued to sell out, we realized that there would be some terrific efficiencies if we took the event to the next level by inviting another distribution group to participate. With Val-Test distributor members attending--in addition to the PRO Group family of distributors--manufacturers can see 35-plus distributors in one location."
Russell Meeks, president of Val-Test, said, "This event will mark the first time the two distribution groups have co-hosted an event. We look forward to this event, and the synergies that our two groups can get by teaming up." Meeks added, "This is not a merger, however, PRO and VAL-TEST can work together to make the GMC an even bigger and better event for our members and suppliers."
The focus of the Group Merchandising Conference is to place new products, assortments, cut cases, displays, and planograms at retail. The event features private scheduled 30-minute meetings between buyers and sellers, who meet in private suites where products are displayed.
Synnott added that Val-Test was working with PRO Group to take costs out of the distribution channel. "Both of the companies are focused on making independent retailers more competitive in the marketplace."
The June Group Merchandising Conference is aimed directly at buyer-level personnel.
Photos:
Embassy Suites Hotel in downtown Atlanta
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Embassy Suites Atrium Lobby
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June 2006 GMC - Left: Dick Doyle, Division Manager – Hardware, Seymour of Sycamore, Sycamore, Illinois
Right: George Hebert, President, Blackstone Supply Co., Providence, Rhode Island
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Val-Test is a Schaumburg, Ill-based buying group of 100 independent distributors in hardware, paint sundries, plumbing, electrical, variety and marine products with volume of $1 billion in sales.
Headquartered in Denver, PRO Group, Inc. is a merchandising and marketing organization with purchasing power exceeding $3 billion through its 40 Member Distributors.
For More Information Contact:
Steve Synnott, PRO Group
303-792-3000
steve.synnott@pro-group.com
Or
Russell Meeks, Val-Test
(847) 413-9900, Ext. 108
rmeeks@val-test.com
Additional media contact:
Ruth Furman, ImageWords
702-255-8288
ruth@ruthfurman.com
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