Retail Observer

RETAILOBSERVER.COM DECEMBER 2021 56 It's been a busy few months for ProSource, the nation's largest audio, video and integration buying group. First, the AVB/BrandSource affiliate recently added 10 new Custom Integrator-level (CI) businesses to its membership ranks and elevated two existing CI members to the Power level. CI members must have annual sales of at least $1 million while Power members enjoy a minimum of $4 million in sales annually. The new additions brought the total number of new ProSource members to 21 so far this year and raised the group's total revenue by $67.5 million. THE NEW CI MEMBERS ARE: • AE Audio Video, Van Nuys, Calif. • Audio Integrators, Scottsdale, Ariz. • Audio Lab, Wilmington, N.C. • Automated Lifestyles, Jefferson Township, Pa. • Elliston Systems & Design, Dallas • Luxe AV, San Jose, Calif. • Mount Rose Music, Reno, Nev. • Simply Stereo, Palatine, Ill. • Statement Home Theater, Knoxville, Tenn. • Wyred AV, Colleyville, Texas The two newly elevated Power members are Hi Fi Buys in Nashville and Home Theater Solutions in Holland, Ohio. Their new, higher rank was approved by the ProSource Board of Directors. "Our growth strategy in 2021 of welcoming new members that meet our standards, and elevating CI members that meet the criteria to the Power level, has exceeded our expectations," said Dave Workman, president/CEO of ProSource. "We are delighted with the success of the organization's recruitment efforts in 2021, and optimistic that our growth in 2022 will continue to meet our high standards." According to Sherry Dantonio, ProSource Senior Director of Education and Membership Recruitment, finding and retaining members is made easy by offering growth opportunities within the group and "an unprecedented amount of education and training, exclusive programs, services, and peer-to-peer support." "The ProSource culture provides a robust environment for success," she said. Elsewhere, ProSource thanked the vendors who contributed most to that success last year, with its 2020 Vendor of the Year Awards. Presented at the group's annual conference held this year in San Antonio, the awards reflect manufacturers' engagement with and commitment and responsiveness to the organization and its members. As Workman said, "The awards honor the brands that have been instrumental in helping our members succeed in every category." THE 2020 VENDORS OF THE YEAR ARE: • Video – Sony • Specialty TV – Samsung (Frame/Terrace) • Audio/Electronics – Sound United • Audio/Speakers – Klipsch • Audio/Headphones – Focal • Audio/Digital Content, Streaming Devices – Bluesound • Specialty/Accessories – SurgeX • Specialty/Custom Integration – Origin Acoustics • Specialty/Technology – Savant • Lighting/Shading – Screen Innovations • New Vendor of the Year – AudioControl Capturing the top honor of Overall Vendor of the Year was Sony. Besides the business of business, ProSource members and vendors also turned their attention to the less fortunate and raised more than $180,000 in a team-building event at the Conference for Make-A-Wish Central and South Texas, representing a 55 percent increase over the 2019 tally. Participants challenged one another in race-themed games of skill, culminating in a comical tricycle race that was won by AudioControl. The company donated $7,000 to the charity and ProSource kicked in $25,000 in AudioControl's name. Here's to even bigger and better things in 2022. Alan Wolf is Senior Communications Specialist for AVB/ BrandSource, the nation's leading merchandising and marketing co-op for independent appliance, home furnishings, and consumer tech dealers. B U Y I N G G R O U P N E W S PROSOURCE ADDS $68M IN GROUP REVENUE, SHARES THE WEALTH WITH MAKE-A-WISH RO

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