RETAILOBSERVER.COM JULY 2020
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T
he AVB buying organization has transformed next month's
Convention 2020 from an on-site show to a virtual event, to
be held online during its originally scheduled show week of
Aug. 30 – Sept. 1, 2020.
Jim Ristow, CEO of AVB Inc., said the decision to move
BrandSource's Convention 2020 online was made last month after
long and careful deliberation. Factors considered by AVB's Senior
Leadership Team (SLT) included travel and exhibit center restrictions;
guidance from national and local officials; and overwhelming
feedback from member dealers and manufacturers.
"With every event conducted by AVB/BrandSource, our goal has
always been the same: to provide new business opportunities, the
best in industry-leading education and training, a forum for networking
and friendships, and to deliver the most effective strategies to help
our members thrive – all within a safe and healthful environment,"
Ristow said. "In order to maintain those goals while the country heals
from the health crisis, we concluded that a virtual Convention offers
the best opportunity to deliver the most benefits while assuring the
safety of our members, exhibitor partners and staff."
What can convention attendees expect next month? Members and
exhibitors will find many of the hallmarks of the on-site event that they
value and relish, including a keynote address, show-special Stampede
deals, a virtual product expo, one-on-one vendor meetings online, and
plentiful buying opportunities at this critical time of the year.
Details of the new Convention 2020 format and an associated
educational series were still being finalized at press time, although
members and exhibitors can register for the event by visiting
www.AVBevents.com.
"While we are deeply disappointed that we will not be seeing
each other in person this summer, we are very excited about the
virtual experience we are developing to keep our independent
retailers and vendor community connected," added Ristow. "As with
any past BrandSource Convention or AVB Summit, the information,
insights, buying opportunities and inspiration that
members come away with will be vital to remain-
ing competitive and profitable, especially in this
unprecedented retail environment."
B U Y I N G G R O U P N E W S
Alan Wolf, Senior Communications Specialist
AVB/BrandSource
RO
BRANDSOURCE TO HOLD ITS
2020 CONVENTION ONLINE
