Retail Observer

OCTOBER 2018 RETAILOBSERVER.COM 57 N ationwide Marketing Group Members, Vendors and Staff converged on the Las Vegas Strip for Nationwide PrimeTime with a higher purpose than usual. As the largest trade show for independent appliance, electronics, furniture, bedding and outdoor retailers, PrimeTime is known for great purchasing opportunities, cash back deals, educational sessions and over 200,000 square feet of show space. But this show's higher calling was to come together again to make a difference for children in need. Nationwide took advantage of PrimeTime to partner with No Child Hungry, the food distribution program of Orlando-based My Neighbor's Children to harness the power of thousands of willing hands, all working together for good. On the heels of having packed over 125,000 meals at the group's event in March, the group came to Las Vegas with a goal of matching their spring effort. According to Nationwide's Strategy and Operations leader Sean Crane, they quickly realized reaching the goal was just the beginning. "The Nationwide Family rallied around this initiative in force, and early! By the time we officially kicked the show off on Monday evening, over 65,000 meals had already been packed. The momentum continued as the show floor opened, and by lunch, it was clear we'd reach the goal by day's end. So, we raised the bar. We knew how much food was on hand, and realized that together, we'd get it all packed and ready to go to hungry children. We had procured 30,000 pounds of food and it was an amazing example of many hands making light work of a massive undertaking. I'm happy to report that with just a few minutes left before the show closed, our mission was accomplished." The numbers, once finalized, were staggering. In four short days, the group had packed 193,874 meals. Nationwide's President and Chief Member Advocate, Tom Hickman, wasn't surprised. He shared, "The power of these amazing independent dealers is something we've had the privilege of seeing for years. Their individual impact in their local markets has been fueling communities for decades. PrimeTime presents a unique opportunity, however, for thousands of dealers, along with our vendor partners and our team to work together to make a real difference. Nationwide lives by our five core commitments to our Members, but we've also made a commitment on behalf of them as well. We've pledged that every time we come together, we'll make a difference and leave behind more than just the economic impact an event the size of PrimeTime inevitably creates. We're very pleased to report that half of the meals assembled at the show were immediately distributed in Las Vegas to address the local child hunger need. The other half are bound for Haiti, where the need is still great. In the coming weeks, I'll be leading a team from Nationwide to join No Child Hungry in Haiti to distribute those meals to children in need. We believe in seeing our commitments through, and this is no exception." The unique aspect of the show saw participation from members, vendors, Nationwide staff, and even the spouses and children accompanying these folks to the show. Working together on such a project has proven transformative for many. Many on hand shared thoughts similar to those of member company Pieratt's Director of Marketing Michael Cox, who shared, "As a local, family-owned business in central Kentucky, Pieratt's has been giving back to our local Bluegrass community since 1946. To see Nationwide Marketing Group take the initiative to combine our collective resources and make a difference not at the local, state, or even national – but international – level has been inspiring. The No Child Hungry project from My Neighbor's Children is a truly noble cause, and to be a small part of the over 300,000 meals packaged and provided during our recent PrimeTime group meeting is very special to us at Pieratt's." The total number of meals from the two PrimeTime events in 2018 now sits at over 320,000. William Lowry, President of No Child Hungry, was impressed, saying, "No Child Hungry is in the fight against hunger and believes it is winnable! But, it will only be possible when great groups of people lock arms to join the fight. One of those amazing groups of people is the members that make up the Nationwide Marketing Group. Their commitment is to fighting hunger and making a difference in the lives of others. The deep level of care they extend to help change a child's world is wonderful, powerful and is backed by a hands-on, "boots-on-the-ground" effort. No Child Hungry is proud to work with Nationwide Primetime and all of its members to bring change "around the corner and around the world." Nationwide PrimeMedia's Mike Whitaker explained it this way, "Nationwide's Members are the driving force behind the program and everything we do. Independent businesses have long been recognized as the backbone of our economy and our society. We've watched with respect for generations as they've consistently supported their local communities. As a result, it was no surprise to see them generously step up for those in need around the world." RO

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