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The "Win" City—Site for the 2006 REAL DEAL EXPO
This City of Sin becomes the City of WIN when convenience distributors and their trading partners come to Las Vegas in March to network and make deals.
"This show has been great. I made several new line extensions that I didn’t even know existed. We get something new every time. That’s the value of this show."
— Dave Wagers, president, Idaho Candy Company, Boise, ID
"We have actually established relationships with two new vendors and found a new complete coffee program, and are looking forward to working with these folks over the years."
— Paul Noorda, president, Gem State Distributors, Pocatello, ID
"Jack Link’s Beef Jerky has always found the use of Show-Only Deals at the REAL DEAL EXPO to be extremely effective in generating booth activity for our company and incremental sales for our valued wholesalers.
— Jack Link’s Beef Jerky, Minong, WI
While Las Vegas is known as a city of adventure and risk-taking, the 2006 REAL DEAL EXPO and Annual Convention, March 15 to 17 at the newly renovated Las Vegas Hilton, is a sure bet for industry representatives who attend this annual event. The REAL DEAL experience offers representatives from all segments of the convenience industry a chance to network, conduct business, gain valuable industry knowledge, and see the latest convenience products on the market.
Opportunities to network will be in abundance at the 2006 show. In addition to two evening receptions, which give participants a chance to get to know each other in a relaxed setting, industry peers can walk the show floor and catch up with old friends or make new business acquaintances. Also, small conference areas will be scattered throughout the EXPO floor to give executives easily accessible space for private conversations. Buyers never have to leave the EXPO floor because all the private meeting suites and conference areas are on the show floor.
New this year…and FREE!
For the first time AWMA will offer an all-day training program for buyers within the wholesale distribution and retail industries. Participants who arrive in Las Vegas one day earlier can take advantage of this free workshop, Buyers: Leveraging Category Management in Your Core Categories.
This dynamic session is designed exclusively for buyers, and offers buyers a chance to hone their skills and take advantage of the many show deals available at AWMA’s REAL DEAL EXPO. It will be held at the Las Vegas Hilton.
Also new this year is AWMA’s affiliation with ShowRight, a trade show management software company, which will provide the onsite order processing for the EXPO. ShowRight is offered free of charge to exhibitors and buyers.
Learning, networking and deal-making in one place
Following the Buyer’s Program on Wednesday, March 15, will be an evening reception. This event, which occurs the day prior to the EXPO grand opening, provides attendees an opportunity to network before the show even begins.
To get participants even more warmed up for closing some homerun business deals, Hall of Fame baseball legend Johnny Bench will provide a motivational presentation before the show begins. Immediately following Bench will be a discussion of AWMA’s Distributor Study, Bringing Value to the U.S. Convenience Store Industry.
Then the show floor opens, and is followed by another all-industry reception.
Hit the EXPO floor
The AWMA REAL DEAL EXPO is the show for warehouse-distributed snacks, confections, tobacco, foodservice, general merchandise and other convenience products. In an exciting two days, power buyers in warehouse distribution will examine convenience products and distribution technologies exhibited by manufacturers.
Once again, this year the show floor is strengthened by AWMA’s partnership with the Snack Food Association (SFA). SFA promoted the event to its membership, and many snack manufacturers will be showcasing their products at the EXPO in February.
Characterized by special show-only deals, quality buyers, the Buyer Rewards program, cash prizes and phenomenal deal making, the AWMA REAL DEAL EXPO is a can’t miss opportunity for the c-store industry. Distributors, manufacturers and retailers come together once a year for this event – the oldest and largest show in the country for warehouse-delivered products.
Other featured speakers
More information sessions will kick off the day on Friday, March 17, once more before the show floor opens. Back again with her timely and highly insightful look at the tobacco industry is Bonnie Herzog, managing director of the U.S. Equity Research Department at Smith Barney. Herzog will cover trends in pricing and volume, brand market share, pending tobacco legislation and lawsuits, tobacco-maker marketing plans and much more.
Next, James McCarthy, president and CEO of the Snack Food Association, will discuss The Evolution of Snacking in an Ever-Changing World.
Setting a sure bet
Few places in the world are as instantly recognizable as Las Vegas. This city thrives on superlatives – biggest, brightest, longest, tallest – so it’s not surprising Las Vegas visitors will find a nearly unlimited variety of options for entertainment, sightseeing, shopping and dining. From 24-hour casinos and star-studded shows to resorts that recreate the wonders of ancient Egypt, the skyline of New York City, and the landmarks of Paris, everyone will find something to enjoy.
Set against a panoramic desert skyline on 80 landscaped acres, the Las Vegas Hilton is one block from the Las Vegas strip and immediately adjacent to the Las Vegas Convention Center. The 40,000-sq.-ft. casino is open 24 hours a day. All EXPO events will be held at either the Hilton or the Convention Center.
Be there!
With so much change going on in the industry, there is no better time to take advantage of the unparalleled networking, buying and educational opportunities afforded by the REAL DEAL EXPO. With all segments of the c-store supply chain represented, this meeting provides the perfect setting for accomplishing these goals.
Meeting face-to-face with customers and peers is more important than ever as trading partners vie for business and market share. The EXPO provides attendees a chance to catch up with long-time customers as well as meet potential trading partners and share experiences with peers.
Register Now!
You can register by filling out the form found in this issue of Distribution Channels or by going online at www.realdealexpo.com. For more information, please contact customer service at (703) 449-6418; or awmaregistration@jspargo.com.
Cash prize giveaways
Make sure you are on the show floor for the three cash-prize giveaways during the two-day EXPO. Up to $10,000 in prize money will be awarded to some lucky attendees. There will also be prizes as part of the Buyer Reward Program drawing on Friday afternoon.
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