PORTLAND, Ore. – Johnstone Supply Inc. held its Spring Sales Planning Meeting and Trade Show, March 7-11, in Orlando, Fla. Nearly 1,000 people attended the event at the Peabody Hotel, including representatives from 127 of the industry’s top vendors.

The week, full of activities and strategic seminars, focused on assisting Johnstone stores and employees in creating and taking advantage of sales opportunities for the summer selling season. The event also allowed members from across the country to network, share best practices, and to survey new products and meet suppliers at the Vendor Trade Show.

The Meeting’s official theme was One Team, One Goal - Connect to Success, and announcements included updates on the cooperative’s current investments in customer service and data and online tools for its contractor customers; working prototypes of a robust new data resource and new website were unveiled. Numerous sales growth awards were presented to members at the closing celebration banquet, reflecting continued robust growth for the cooperative and its more than 350 independently owned stores.

The awards banquet honored multiple members for exceptional performance. Members Ken Perkins and Greg and Missy Milligan, Charlotte, N.C., received the 2011 Single Store Member of the Year Award. Larry and Pam Wines were recognized with the Branch of the Year award for their St. Peters, Mo., store. The award for Multi-Store Member of the Year, Small Market was presented to John Sisler and John Sisler Jr. of Lexington, Ky., while the Multi-Store Member of the Year, Large Market award went to Chris Ware and Henry Puente, Jacksonville, Fla., who this year also celebrated a full 30 years with the Johnstone cooperative. Also awarded was Supplier of the Year presented to Don Peck of Heat Controller.

Publication date: 05/16/2011