DA-Pro Group event heads to Marco Island

Home improvement industry manufacturers and vendors will have the opportunity to meet with Distribution America (DA) officials and Pro Group leaders during the 2014 Executive Planning Conference (EPC) Nov. 13-15 at the Marco Island Marriott Resort & Spa in Florida. 

Steve Synnott, CEO of Denver-based Pro Group Inc., said: "word is catching on about this year's event, as all vendor categories are showing growth - a sign that vendors have heard about success stories from companies increasing their business with the help of past EPCs."

"There are quite a number of vendors that have derived great returns by supporting the EPC, including names like Coleman Cable and Jack Links Beef Jerky" he said. 

The conference comes at a time where a sluggish start to 2013 is evaporating. "Vendors and retailers are seeing solid late-year sales boosts," according to Dave Christmas, president of Charlotte, NC-based Distribution America.

"Weather issues earlier in the year slowed things down a bit, but the past four or five months have been strong across the country," Christmas said. "We expect continued improvement and our Conference in November will allow us to discuss growth opportunities with all of our major vendors. Additionally, the conference is a great venue to meet with new vendors and to see new concepts."

The event is the result of a continued partnership between DA and Pro Group. The companies hosted separate annual events in the past, but since combining resources, have reduced travel days, expenses and increased efficiency for vendors, according to both companies.