Retail Observer

RETAILOBSERVER.COM OCTOBER 2023 60 B U Y I N G G R O U P N E W S M ore than 3,600 attendees descended on Nashville from August 13-16 to experience Nationwide Marketing Group's 61st PrimeTime event, as well as all the education, buying, net-working, and givebacks that make PrimeTime the industry's premier event for independent retailers. The "Customer Obsessed" theme that launched at PrimeTime in Dallas was carried over in Nashville, underscored by the more than 1,200 programs that Nationwide currently offers to help enhance the customer experience for independent retailers. And just like the varied musical styles heard from the streets of Broadway a few short blocks from the event, the programs offered help to Nationwide members in many categories. "Whatever your particular style of music is, you're going to find it somewhere in Nashville," said Tom Hickman, Nationwide Marketing Group's CEO, during PrimeTime's general session. "But just like the musical diversity in the city of Nashville, we have designed the brand partnerships and service offerings we provide our members to be varied and diverse. We don't go all-in with a single provider when other great solutions exist. We don't want to limit their choices. Instead, our goal is to support our members and their businesses in the ways that make sense to them, cutting through the clutter and bringing the best of the best." Attendees were moved by an inspirational keynote from retired Lt. Col. Scott Mann, who brought a wave of emotions to the packed audience as he detailed his work with Operation Pineapple Express, an effort to rescue a former Afghan comrades caught up during the chaos of America's withdrawal from Afghanistan. Lt. Col. Mann drew parallels between his military experiences as a U.S. Army Green Beret and the hurdles confronted by independent retailers, captivating attendees by showcasing his ability to build trust and solve complex problems in high-pressure situations. Focusing on leading with purpose, he highlighted how independent retailers are the backbone of the country, and he challenged the members with finding their own Pineapple Express. PrimeTime once again featured numerous opportunities for Nationwide members to secure exclusive deals and CashBack opportunities on products and services from vendor partners in attendance. Members packed the PrimeTime Palooza room on Monday evening to take advantage of limited-time, limited-quantity offers during the 90-minute buying frenzy. And the deals spilled over into the next two days of the PrimeTime Expo, which featured more than 150 vendor partners – including 12 outdoor living partners in the PrimeTime Backyard – spread across over 250,000 square feet of exhibit space. During the Expo, dealers in attendance also had an opportunity to win over $100,000 in prizes, including the furniture and bedding categories' collective $61,000 giveaway to celebrate the 61st PrimeTime. Bruce and Joann Lebeda of Audio-Video Plus in Schulenburg, Texas were the grand prize winners, walking away with $25,000. PrimeTime in Nashville was also host to a new opportunity in Nationwide's efforts to give back always. The CashBack GiveBack allowed members to donate a portion of their CashBack funds to one of four charities: No Child Hungry, Smile Together, Autism Speaks, and the Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center. Nationwide matched all member donations, directing its funds to support No Child Hungry's efforts to feed those impacted by the Maui wildfires that also affected several Nationwide members. In addition, there were state-of-the-business updates from industry executives in both home appliance and furniture and bedding categories, as well as a full slate of Nationwide Learning Academy educational sessions, with more than 70 courses focused on four tracks: Growth, People, Driving Traffic, and Product Training – as well as member-to- member roundtables and a best of the NLA that featured the four highest- rated NLA courses of all time. "Our members continue to take full advantage of the exclusive in-person educational opportunities available to them at PrimeTime," said Shawn Ashby, director of training and education for Nationwide. "The new tracks and member roundtables highlighted everything from new AI opportunities, to product training, as we continue to bring the best education and training courses for our members at PrimeTime." Nationwide will now set its sights on Las Vegas, returning for the first time since 2019 to the Venetian | Palazzo & Sands Expo for the 62nd edition of PrimeTime, March 10-13, 2024. NATIONWIDE MARKETING GROUP'S AUGUST PRIMETIME CONTINUES DEEP DIVE INTO CUSTOMER OBSESSION The group's first trip to downtown Nashville was a memorable one, highlighted by a moving keynote, NMG-exclusive product introductions, and a giveback promotion to support those on the fire-devastated island of Maui Jeff Rose, Director of Furniture, Nationwide Furniture RO

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