Retail Observer

RETAILOBSERVER.COM APRIL 2023 50 F ive exemplary ProSource members were lauded at last month's Summit 2023 in Las Vegas as the consumer tech group's 2022 Custom Integration (CI) Members of the Year. ProSource – an affiliate of the AVB BrandSource buying group – is arguably the largest A/V and integration merchandising and marketing organization in the U.S. ProSource defines CI-level members as those generating up to $5 million in annual revenue. This year's crop of award winners includes Simply Automated, representing the Northeast; Arracal, taking Southeast honors; Pacific Audio & Communications (PAC) Hawaii, named best of the West; Imagine More Services, representing ProSource's South Central region; and Automation Design + Entertainment, recognized as tops in North Central. "It is a strong achievement to earn the honor of the best of the best at ProSource," said ProSource president, Jim Pearse. "The group is made up of the best custom installation dealers in the United States, so your award represents excellence that stands above the rest." He added, "Your team's innovation, support of the ProSource vendor partners and commitment to strengthen the ProSource culture of collaboration are appreciated. Congratulations!" Simply Automated, led by President Tom Pieracki, was described by ProSource's Northeast district manager, Robert Dodge, as "one of our most talented and supportive members" and "one of our most advanced members in the emerging lighting category." Carrie Fabrick, ProSource's Southeast district manager, praised Arracal and President Tony Calero for providing "the best experience to all customers" and making it their top priority. PAC Hawaii and its resident, Phil Mulligan, have worked diligently with ProSource to "maximize their vendor relationships and take advantage of our educational services," said Western District Manager Brian Kjaer. Of Imagine More Services principals Lenard Gale and Don Brehm, South Central District Manager Samantha Summerville said, "I knew they were going to rock ProSource – they are partners in success, growing a small family business into four locations offering full lighting, shade and A/V custom install by utilizing ProSource vendors, services, trainings, and education." ProSource Sales Director Frank Marengo described Automation Design + Entertainment's team as "amazing," and owner and founder Peter Cook as "always willing to share best practices with other members and continually looking for ways to be more efficient by implementing new processes." ProSource, along with BrandSource and fellow AVB affiliates Mega Group, NEAG and Intercounty Appliance Corp., came out in force at last month's 2023 Summit, held at the Caesars Forum Conference Center in Las Vegas under the theme "Plug In." Besides honoring members, ProSource "built an agenda and program that emphasized collaboration and sharing of ideas," said Pearse, and "designed the meeting space to connect members and vendors together." Specifically, rather than holding meetings and presentations in multiple places, all ProSource Summit activities transpired in one central location within the Conference Center, to make it "much easier to connect and learn," Pearse said. ProSource also secured "a great vendor roster" and commitments from tech industry leaders, who together were an integral part of the education sessions and evening activities, Pearse added. "This provided the membership with the opportunity to build great relationships with our vendor partners." Among the aforementioned education sessions was "The Future of the CI Channel," an interactive panel featuring Savant President JC Murphy; SnapOne CEO John Heyman; Paul Williams, chief product officer, Nice North America; and Shawn Hansson, founder/CEO of Logic Integration. Another highlight was "Tips & Tricks for Running a Successful Lighting Fixture Business," featuring Patrick Laidlaw, director of business development-integration at AiSPIRE by WAC Lighting, and "The Luxury Sales Approach," presented by Jesse Coyer, a trainer and national sales account manager with Harman Luxury Audio, and Dave Chace, president of Cogent360. Alan Wolf is Senior Communications Specialist at AVB BrandSource, the nation's leading merchandising and marketing co-op for independent appliance, home furnishings, and consumer tech dealers. RO PROSOURCE NAMES CI MEMBERS OF THE YEAR Alan Wolf Consumer Electronics Trends An installation by ProSource honoree Pacific Audio & Communications Hawaii

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