Retail Observer

RETAILOBSERVER.COM NOVEMBER 2021 36 To help keep the momentum going, AVB featured two first-time educational tracks at the show focusing on furniture dealers and servicers. The former, held under the Furniture Technology Source (FTS) banner, included a special Mattress University session hosted by Serta Simmons marketing chief Melanie Huet; a Supply Chain Fireside Chat where Serta and Flexsteel execs addressed members' questions and concerns; and a closed-door, no-holds-barred Furniture Town Hall where the floor was open to dealers. On the service side, industry specialist and AVB consultant Paul MacDonald, together with BrandSource suppliers, led a dedicated series of ServiceSource sessions that tackled such critical topics as setting reasonable service rates, hiring and retaining techs, and effectively marketing your repair services. Elsewhere during Convention21, Brand- Source members and vendor partners raised more than $150,000 to support the co-op's charity of choice, Together We Rise, a foster care support service, by earning raffle tickets for a Jeep Wrangler and Jet Blue ticket giveaway. After going virtual for the past two shows due to the pandemic, members were eager to return to an in-person format, and the record number that registered for the Nashville gathering was evidence of that. They weren't disappointed. As BrandSource dealer Kim Legato of Bill & Rod's Appliance & Mattress noted, the event was a perfect 10. "The best Convention I've ever been to," he said – and not just because he was one of 14 members honored in the group's annual Dealer of the Year awards ceremony. Members also cited the Convention's many educational and social events. For dealer Elizabeth Round of Village Home Stores, BrandSource's Women in Business Book Club and Breakfast featuring Serta's Huet – one of the highest-ranking women in home furnishings – were clear highlights. The women's empowerment meetings "were less about watching another PowerPoint slideshow and more about connecting with other female professionals and learning from each other," she said. "Convention always provides exceptional educational sessions, whether on-site or online," Round continued. "But there is so much added value when you can keep the conversation going in person. It was so wonderful to chat with other members in the hallway between sessions and at meals." BrandSource also took time to pay tribute to individuals who have contributed to the group's success. Inducted into the BrandSource Hall of Fame were Class of 2021 members Jackie King of Nampa Appliance TV & Mattress; Tom Balistreri of Colders' Furniture, Appliances and Mattresses; former AVB/BrandSource board member George "Skip" Ignaczak; and AVB's own Kevin Werner. King, co-founder of Napa Appliance, is a national board member and has served as president of BrandSource's Rocky Mountain Region since 1998. Balistreri, a co-owner of Colders' and the company's merchandising VP, served as Chairman of Power Dealers forerunner Resource Plus and continues to lead many of BrandSource's successful initiatives. Ignaczak, a former principal of Duggan's Service & Appliance, served on AVB's Tri-State Region Board and National Board of Directors, played an integral role in the formation of AVB Finance, and devoted more than 30 years to the group before retiring in 2018. Kevin Werner is known to all BrandSource dealers for his tireless efforts on their behalf as Member Relations General Manager. "BrandSource is truly a family," he said, "and I am proud to be a part of it." Congratulations all! Ristow concluded his Convention keynote by reminding members to keep their collective feet on the gas pedal to retain their recent five-fold share gains and continue their growth track for years to come. "We need to let the world know … we are not giving the business back," he said. RO Alan Wolf is Senior Communications Specialist for AVB/BrandSource, merchandising and marketing co-op for independent appliance, home furnishings and consu- mer tech dealers. Rich Lindblom was a longtime BrandSource member and Maytag Leadership Council officer with more than 40 years experience in independent retail. AVB/BrandSource Kicking Butt Images, clockwise from top: Board members join the Senior Leadership Team in recapping accomplishments; AVB CEO Jim Ristow kicks off BrandSource's Convention21; Hubba hubba! CMO John White introduces the Hub; Dealers kept Serta staff on their toes; Dealers and exhibitors got down to business. Inset — Hall of Fame inductees "Skip" Ignaczak, Jackie King, Kevin Werner and Tom Balistreri brandish their awards.

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