3 minute read
Review: Industry Week ’21
from OPI APP NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021 B
by OPI
Industry Week ’21 photography sponsored by Certain Supply
INDUSTRY WEEK ’21 REVIEW
TOGETHER again
Spirits were high in November when the dealer members and supplier partners of Independent Suppliers Group (ISG) gathered at the World Center Marriott in Orlando, Florida – more than two years after our sector was last able to meet in large numbers.
After a number of postponements and continuing uncertainty over COVID-related restrictions, the decision to go ahead with Industry Week ’21, powered by ISG, was widely welcomed. And while some dealers and vendors decided not to travel, the event was both well attended and received.
The first two days were largely devoted to ISG’s Pinnacle group, comprising one-on-one meetings between Pinnacle members and vendors. On day three – 10 November – the event widened to include the entire ISG membership. The General Session began with a welcome address by ISG CEO Mike Gentile. This was followed by a short speech by Yancey Jones Sr, Chairman of the event’s premier sponsor S.P. Richards (SPR).
The main attraction at the General Session was a panel discussion with industry experts headlined From Crisis to Opportunity – Capitalising on a post-Pandemic Environment and chaired by OPI’s CEO Steve Hilleard. The panel comprised Beth Wright, VP of Sales, Americas, Fellowes Brands; Stacy Mitchell, co-director of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance; Nick Lomax, SVP Jan/San, SPR; and Steve Danziger, CEO, AAA Business Supplies and Interiors.
After an engaging and lively debate, OPI Director Janet Bell took to the stage to present the 2021 North American Office Products Awards (see ‘NAOPA: back with a bang’, page 54).
LEARNING AND NETWORKING
Day three also saw the educational programme kicking off. A selection of 17 seminars covered a wide variety of industry topics, hosted by both ISG staff and external industry experts. The latter included Fortune Web Marketing’s Jennifer Rae Stine; Methods in Motion’s Marisa Pensa; Janet Collins from TurningPoint Strategy and selltoWIN. com’s Rick Lambert.
The only slightly disappointing moment of the week came when the evening’s Welcome Reception and City of Hope fundraiser had to be moved indoors from its planned poolside location due to the weather. That, however, did not stop guests from having a great time, networking and meeting up with old friends and colleagues.
One of the core reasons for Industry Week had always been that it would help condense the annual show calendar for busy vendors and dealers. This it did, with a broad array of meetings taking place between SPR and Essendant and their customers as well as the Business Supplies Association (BSA) and their vendor members.
With so many industry peers from across the channels finally under one roof again, there was also the opportunity for a special awards lunch on 11 November. This saw the previously announced BSA Awards being presented to SPR’s Mike Maggio, Bill Cardone of TOPS and former Essendant executive Joe Templet.
It was followed by ISG’s own supplier awards where Certain Supply won Best New Supplier, Fellowes was recognised for Most Successful Pivot to PPE and Avery took home Supplier of the Year.
The final highlight – aside from the concluding Havana-themed party – was the afternoon trade show. Predictably, exhibitor numbers were slightly lower than hoped for given the circumstances, but the show floor was still active and carried a real buzz of excitement. Booths were busy and orders were written, as the industry got back to conducting business face to face once more.
“The members and suppliers of ISG showed how resilient and committed they are towards each other and the IDC,” noted Gentile. “We understand why some suppliers and members could not attend, but we are ecstatic with the attendance we’ve had. It’s been too long.”
A flamboyant Mike ‘Elvis’ Gentile announced that Industry Week 2022 will take place at Caesars Palace Las Vegas, Nevada, from 6-11 November 2022
