In 2007, AWMA adopted a new slogan as it began a new direction – Championing Distributor Value and Building Profitability. As AWMA continues to move in a new direction in 2007, this phrase remains the foundation for all AWMA products and services designed for the membership. This slogan is more important and relevant than ever.

Join AWMA at the 2008 REAL DEAL EXPO in Las Vegas in February to see the AWMA phrase in action – this is where the convenience distribution industry will be meeting! The REAL DEAL EXPO is the only show exclusively for warehouse-distributed snacks, confections, tobacco, general merchandise, foodservice, beverages, HBC, technology, warehouse equipment and more. For more than 65 years, this is the premier meeting place for distributors and their trading partners.

With AWMA members representing more than $85 billion in sales to over a million retail outlets nationwide, the is the show where decisions are made. At the EXPO, you’ll not only see many companies and many new products, you will also see many show-only deals – deals that are available only to buyers attending the show. That is why convenience store executives need to come to the EXPO – yes to see new products and services – yes to see favorite customers – but for those companies having show deals, a way for those companies to have a successful show, and for buyers to save lots of $$$$$!

This year’s EXPO floor is sold out and we’re expecting a great turnout in Las Vegas. While there are many new companies exhibiting this year at the EXPO, distributors, retailers and brokers can be sure to find not only new products, but many great show-only deals! The REAL DEAL EXPO is a buying show – and that is what makes it different from the other trade shows! Exhibitors are there to sell product – and buyers are there to take advantage of any deals that are offered.

There are many other draws at this year’s EXPO – the general sessions, including this year’s keynote speaker, Greg Gumbel of CBS Sports. Greg will speak at 8:00 a.m.on Thursday morning at the EXPO. Also on Thursday will be a special session on the Convenience Channel Challenge in Canada with a group of distinguished speakers including Marc Fortin, president of the National Convenience Stores Distributors Association of Canada (NACDA) – the AWMA of Canada. This session will be of interest to everyone at the EXPO – distributors, manufacturers and suppliers, retailers and brokers. And finally, Bonnie Herzog is back, a familiar face to the EXPO, who will discuss the latest tobacco news and trends. All of these sessions follow the industry breakfasts and are just before the exhibit hall opens.

Next, there will be two networking receptions on Wednesday and Thursday evenings, the silent auction with some excellent items – including some very big ticket items - the cash drawings where AWMA raffles off $10,000 in cash prizes, the exhibit hall Buyer’s Reward Program where prizes are raffled off (last year’s top prize was a 42” plasma TV), the industry breakfasts each morning to start jump-start attendees before the general sessions – just to name a few of the many reasons to attend.

In a nutshell, here are some key points to note about this year’s EXPO:

• A full Wednesday-through-Friday schedule that will get you home for the weekend.
• The opportunity to buy, compressed into two days.
• An all-day AWMA Buyer’s Program for distributors and retailers on Wednesday, February 20 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. This $1,000 value is FREE to AWMA members! This year, the topic is Managing Assortment & Vendor Relationships from a Position of Strength.
• Education sessions on both mornings before the exhibit hall opens.
• Two evening receptions to meet and greet—and network.
• $10,000 Cash Prize Giveaways. Prizes to be drawn on both Thursday and Friday afternoon.
• The Exhibit Hall Buyer Reward Program. Tickets are awarded to all buyers from participating exhibitors doing business on the show floor, who then will have an opportunity to win great prizes like a plasma TV, laptop computer, Apple iPod, or other great gift.
• AWMA Silent Auction. Bid on some extra special items at the silent auction with items available to view until 12:00 NOON on Friday, February 22.
• Las Vegas! Most folks have been to Las Vegas many times, but it is still one of the most exciting places to hold an event—great restaurants, shows, gambling and shopping.

If you have not pre-registered for this year’s EXPO, it is not too late! Look for the registration brochure that is polybagged with this issue of Distribution Channels magazine, or go online at www.realdealexpo.com. If you pre-register after January 30, 2008, you will need to pick up your badge in Las Vegas at the EXPO registration desk.

The Las Vegas Hilton is where it all takes place so make sure you book your hotel rooms as well by January 30, 2008, to receive the great rate of $133 per night. Call Hilton reservations at (800) 732-7117 and use group code SAWM8R.

It’s getting close, so don’t delay! Please review the entire EXPO program preview in this issue of Distribution Channels. This is a lot to review including the EXPO PRODUCT PREVIEW section where you get a sneak preview of many of the products you will see on the show floor. Register today – and within a few weeks - See you in Las Vegas!

QUOTES

“A major value of the REAL DEAL EXPO is being able to meet with manufacturer company decision makers at one place and one time – all in the space of a couple of days.”
— Bob Krier, Dearborn Wholesale Grocers, Inc.

“We found a good variety of new products on the show floor and met some new suppliers that will be solid additions to the products we carry.”
— Ricky Jones, Andalusia Distributing Company

“This is always a good event for us. It’s a great opportunity for us to be in the same room as all of our customers.”
— Jeff Blalock, Flowers Specialty Snack Sales

“This show is beneficial for us. When our customers come here, they know Jack Link’s is going to be here and that they will get special pricing. It’s a win-win all the way around.”
— Scott MacDonald, Jack Link’s Beef Jerky

Schedule

For more information on the AWMA REAL DEAL EXPO, contact J. Spargo & Associates at 703-631-6200, or awma@jspargo.com.

Don’t miss the great Auction items at AWMA’s 2008 REAL EXPO!

AWMA is offering some truly amazing items at its auction in Las Vegas. Come prepared to take advantage of this unique opportunity to bid on these three big-ticket items. Along with the many great gifts to be auctioned off at our EXPO this year, AWMA is offering the following three items:

• Pick Right System – Donated by PROCAT Management Services
• Check-Right System – Donated by Tax-Right, LLC
• CCU-6-12 Cigarette Case Cutter Unit – Donated by R.E.D. Stamp, Inc.

These items will be available for bid at our silent auction, which closes promptly at 12 noon on Friday, February 22. However, please note that if there is more than one active bid on any one of these three particular items at the time the auction closes then we’ll be holding an “impromptu” live auction right then and there to allow the active bidding to continue with the item in question finally going to the highest bidder…should be exciting!

So, don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to purchase some outstanding technology at the AWMA Silent Auction while, simultaneously, helping out AWMA’s Government Affairs program. All proceeds from the Silent Auction go to benefit the AWMA Government Affairs program. AWMA thanks you for your support!

For more information on attending the 2008 AWMA REAL DEAL EXPO, contact customer service at either (800) 564-4220 or (703) 449-6418 or awmaregistration@jspargo.com.

Don’t miss out on AWMA Buyer’s Program

Distributors & Retailers - the AWMA REAL DEAL EXPO is right around the corner and AWMA hopes you have registered for the EXPO! To complete the AWMA Buyer's Program series, this year’s topic is titled, “Managing Assortment & Vendor Relationships from a Position of Strength.”

The Buyer’s Program will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 20, 2008 in Las Vegas. The EXPO opens on Wednesday evening with a reception at 5:30 p.m. and the exhibit hall opens on Thursday morning so, similar to the last two years, come in a day early and attend the AWMA Buyer's Program.

If you are a buyer attending the EXPO, the workshop is FREE! You must register to attend the EXPO as well as register to attend the Buyer's Program. If you are only attending the workshop, the cost is $1,000 for the session. So, please plan on attending this year's Buyer's Program and the REAL DEAL EXPO.

Exhibitors who want to increase the traffic in their booths at the EXPO should participate in the Exhibit Hall Buyer Reward Program. Exhibitors contribute to one of four funding levels. For the funding collected, AWMA will purchase some great gifts that will be displayed at AWMA’s Resource Central in the exhibit hall.

Exhibitors receive tickets to hand out to buyer attendees who visit their booth to conduct business. How many tickets you give to each buyer is up-to-you! Each exhibitor will receive a list of EXPO attendees prior to the show – so that you can mail invitations to buyers TO VISIT YOUR BOOTH!

When a buyer visits a participating exhibitor, tickets are handed out. The buyers then visit AWMA’s Resource Central to deposit their ticket(s) and view the great prizes to be raffled off on Friday, February 22. Last year’s big prize was a 42” plasma TV. What will be the prizes this year?