GROUP MERCHANDISING CONFERENCE RALLIES HOME IMPROVEMENT BUYERS & SELLERS

Atlanta, Georgia (June 5, 2009) - Show specials were especially well received when home improvement industry distributors met with manufacturers during the Group Merchandising Conference organized by PRO Group, Inc. and Val-Test Distributors June 1-3, 2009 at the Embassy Suites Hotel in downtown Atlanta.

Steve Synnott, CEO of PRO Group, Inc. said the GMC format brings together group supplier sales contacts with group distributor purchasing contacts in private, scheduled 30-minute appointments. The conference format is structured around efficiency and cost savings for attendees, who cover multiple meetings during a two day period rather than having to make additional trips. And efficiency is more important now than ever before.

"We've had the best attendance in the history of the event for distributors who came here looking to partner with manufacturers, to preview new products and to take advantage of enhanced dating and show specials to offer to their customers," Synnott said.

Scheduled buyer/vendor appointments took place in private suites throughout the Embassy Suites Hotel, with vendors offering conference specials and reviewing benefits of new products, merchandisers, displays and promotions to attending buyers. In total, the meeting format featured more than 1,000 hours of interaction and networking opportunities, with some vendors using the event to roll out new products and others there to offer special buys to attending distributors. 

PRO Group hosts the Group Merchandising Conference annually; this is the third year distributors from the Schaumburg, Illinois-based Val-Test have participated. Attendees include 47 Distributor team members, PRO Group and Val-Test corporate office personnel and 93 individuals representing vendors. The PRO Group Merchandising Conference is tailored to the needs of distributor buyers and is unlike any other event of its kind due to the hands-on nature of the product displays shown in a highly efficient environment.

Following the Group Merchandising Conference, the PRO Group Merchandise Committee met to discuss upcoming Target Vendor Programs and to hear presentations from new vendors. 

GardenMaster distributors met during the Conference and discussed new vendors and products and merchandising and marketing programs.

Joy Smith, merchandise manager for PRO Group, Inc., offered a trends update to attending distributors on such trends as grow-it-yourself and edible gardens, staycations, downsizing and re-greening.

PRO Hardware Stores Program Distributors and FARM MART Distributors also met to preview 2010 advertising and marketing programs. A review of 2009 marketing efforts was also featured, along with email and e-marketing techniques.

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Headquartered in Denver, PRO Group, Inc., www.pro-group.com, is a merchandising and marketing organization with purchasing power exceeding $3 billion through its 40 Member Distributors.

Val-Test, www.val-test.com, is a Schaumburg, Illinois-based buying group of 100 independent distributors in hardware, paint sundries, plumbing, electrical, variety and marine products with a volume of $1 billion in sales.

Note to media: Digital photographs of the 2009 Group Merchandising Conference available upon request from Elissa Motley of PRO Group, Inc. elissa.motley@pro-group.com

For More Information Contact:

Steve Synnott , PRO Group, Inc.

(303) 792-3000

steve.synnott@pro-group.com

Additional Media Contact:
Ruth Furman, ImageWords

(702) 255-8288