Registrations Increase for GMDC Conference
GMDC is experiencing a leap in member registration for its 2002 GM Marketing Conference (May 31-June 4 in Scottsdale, Ariz.). To date, 101 wholesale/retail companies will attend, represented by 238 people, and 672 people from 334 supplier companies. New members who will be attending include Albertson’s, Inc. and Eckerd Corporation. First time guest attendees, include Dollar Tree Stores, Inc., Minyard Food Stores, Inc., Rite Aid Corporation, Save Mart Supermarkets and Walgreens Co.
The increased attendance from the buying community, up from 73 companies last
year, is attributed, in part, to the new wholesale/retail registration program,
in development for two years and instituted by the GMDC Board of Directors last
year for the Association’s 2002 GM and HBC Marketing Conferences. Whenever qualified,
dues-paying wholesale/retail members register for a GMDC Marketing Conference,
their registration package can include airfare and accommodations.
Moderator Comment: What do you think of GMDC paying
the way for retailers/wholesalers to attend its Controlled Casual Conferences
(CCC)?
Past GMDC CCCs have been praised by many for creating
an atmosphere where trading partners can get business done. With its new policy
of paying the way for retailer/wholesaler members, expect to see a lot more
business transactions taking place. [George
Anderson – Moderator]