INDEAL Dealer Champions, Supplier Partners and Staff Collaborate at 2017 Conference
Held at the retro chic Valley Ho in Scottsdale, AZ, May 1-4, the 2017 INDEAL Champion Training and Conference aimed to educate INDEAL dealer Champions and supplier partners on the benefits of being an INDEAL program member. Creating an atmosphere conducive to information sharing and comradery, the event exceeded expectations in terms of effectiveness, according to attendees, and armed them with the tools needed to better utilize the INDEAL program going forward.
INDEAL’s Champion program was created to help dealerships get optimum benefit from their partnership with INDEAL. Champions are asked to complete checklists of responsibilities to ensure the INDEAL program runs smoothly within their dealerships. They are the conduit between INDEAL and the dealer staff, encouraging use of Idea Books which highlight suppliers in the program. They are also the first point of contact for sales representatives of the suppliers.
Said Laura Dunn, Champion of Creative Office Pavilion, “This was a great experience. I can’t wait to share what I’ve learned with the sales and design team and see what we can do to take advantage of INDEAL and my new supplier relationships.”
The conference balanced interactive instructional sessions on the INDEAL program with manufacturer-focused segments and unique networking opportunities. Throughout the event, Champions learned how they are empowered to increase INDEAL suppliers’ sales at their dealerships and discovered best practices used by fellow Champions to promote the program internally.
According to Dave Bloch, co-founder of INDEAL, “Last year was great as our first year for the event but this year was even better. Both Champions and our suppliers were invigorated by ideas to foster growth at their businesses. It will be interesting to witness the strength of the conference next year as each participant incorporates their newly discovered ideas in individual ways and brings them back to share.”
The support and presence of INDEAL supplier partners make the event a remarkable experience. INDEAL suppliers are given time and opportunity to interact with dealer Champions from presentations, to one-on-one targeted discussions to casual networking. Josh Silverman, representative from event sponsor Global, uses the opportunity to engage in “valuable conversations with dealers to understand what is working and what we can do better.” The combination of events and opportunities allow conference attendees to connect in meaningful ways.
“The energy, interaction and overall connection between the INDEAL Champions, suppliers and the INDEAL team was a testament to a program that is not just progressive,” stated Paul Anderson representing Highmark at the event, “but of value to all involved not just in terms of inspired thought and creativity but a feeling of belonging and attachment to invaluable resources that each can tap into.”
The discovery of how INDEAL’s marketing tools and technology partners, My Resource Library and The KITS Collaborator, create advantages for their sales and design staff is a key component to the conference.
“ MyResourceLibrary was privileged to be a gold sponsor for this event,” said Jeff Carlson, “and did we ever feel appreciated. The Champions were engaged and very interested in MRL and how they can use our technology to not only further the INDEAL sales within their organization, but also help differentiate their dealers within their markets. The INDEAL team hosted a wonderful meeting, and we look forward to the opportunity to participate next year.”
INDEAL’s 2018 Champion training and conference takes place in Charleston, SC from April 23-26. Attendees already include 4 Champions voted at this year’s event to be extremely engaged in the program, helpful to other participants and effective at implementing the INDEAL program at their dealerships. Sponsors are accepted on a first-come, first serve basis. They consist primarily of INDEAL suppliers as well as a few strategic industry partners. For more information on how to participant in the event, please contact Jill Thomas, event coordinator, at jthomas@indeal.org.
About INDEAL: INDEAL adds value to dealers and suppliers in the contract office furniture industry. Membership in INDEAL provides dealers with a significant return on investment in exchange for focusing on a short list of preferred suppliers carefully selected to support and protect the dealers’ primary aligned manufacturer. In addition, INDEAL offers sophisticated marketing, training and knowledge-based programs to aid the individual dealers. Membership in INDEAL means financial growth, lower operating costs, and a more focused approach to non-aligned purchasing. It additionally supports a well-developed network of peers from all major alignments that offer support and a lively idea exchange.