Retail Observer

RETAILOBSERVER.COM MAY 2014 60 B randSource members converged in Orlando last month for the group's highly anticipated bi-annual Spring Summit, where attendees were treated to more than a dozen special training sessions from key vendors and business leaders. Two special events, the Young Professionals Mixer and the Women In Business Dessert Soiree, offered new networking opportunities for members. A $10,000 check was presented by Whirlpool to one winning BrandSource member as part of its Habitat for Humanity donation campaign. Habitat for Humanity Donation Don's Appliances of Pittsburgh, PA was awarded a $10,000 check for its local Habitat for Humanity chapter after being selected from several entries in a prize drawing sponsored by Whirlpool. Whirlpool relies on retailers like those within the BrandSource organization to help fulfill its mission of making life better for those who are less fortunate. In more than 14 years of partnership with Habitat for Humanity and with support from BrandSource and its members across the country, Whirlpool has donated nearly 160,000 ranges and refrigerators to new Habitat homes in the U.S. and Canada, serving 100,000 families. Young Professionals Mixer Several BrandSource members attended the group's Young Professionals Mixer, an evening designed to connect younger members who are relatively new to the business or part of a multi-generational family business. "We thought it would be a good idea to offer an informal setting for our younger members to connect and network," said Tom Bennett. "One member came from a big box store and wanted to run his own business. Several members are helping run family businesses with parents, aunts or uncles. The Young Professionals Mixer gave them a place to connect and network with like-minded peers. To our surprise, many people didn't know each other, but they do now!" According to Bennett, the next Young Professionals Mixer will be held in Las Vegas this August and will include helpful discussions on best practices and other topics important to this group, such as integrating social media and technology into the retail mix or learning more about digital marketing and advertising. "We're very excited about the new friendships that have already been established and look forward to fostering more networking opportunities for this group," Bennett said. Women In Business Dessert Soiree Led by long-time industry expert Judy Lawrence, the Women in Business Dessert Soiree gave women in the industry a unique opportunity to network, socialize, discuss important issues and share experiences with each other. A decision was made to continue these meetings on a twice-yearly basis, in August and March. "This was our first meeting and we had more than 40 attendees," said Lawrence. "These women were very excited to be on the ground level of what the future holds for this group. We've already discussed speakers, round tables, forums and other significant ideas for learning and growing." RO B U Y I N G G R O U P N E W S BRANDSOURCE M EM BERS GATHER IN FLORIDA FOR BI-ANNUAL SUMMIT Several BrandSource members attended the group's Young Profes- sionals Mixer in Orlando. Pictured are: Shawn Hansson of Logic Inte- gration in Denver, CO, Ryan Heringer of Sound Concepts in Jonesboro, AR, Glenn Murdzia and Matthew Campbell of Campbell Audio Video of Carbondale, CO Whirlpool presented Brand-Source with a $10,000 check for one lucky member's local Habitat for Humanity Chapter. The winner: Don's Appliances in Pittsburgh, PA. Pictured are Bob Lawrence, CEO of BrandSource, Tom Arent of Whirlpool, Jeff Zeglin, chairman of the BrandSource board, Mark Hecht and Michael Gross of Whirlpool, and John White, EVP of appliances for BrandSource.

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