Opportunity was the watchword this week in Houston as the Nationwide Marketing Group kicked off its 56th PrimeTime Conference and trade show. Thousands of Nationwide members, vendors, service providers and staff from across the U.S. and Canada have gathered at the George R. Brown Convention Center to hear from industry leaders, take advantage of educational opportunities, hear from fellow retail members – and network, network, network.
Tom Hickman, president and chief member advocate at Nationwide, delivered the keynote, and opened by mentally painting a quick picture of himself in a leotard, practicing some ribbon dancing backstage to explain the keynote’s late start (perhaps a two-minute delay at most, so the chuckle was well received).
Hickman’s speech was upbeat (undoubtedly due to the ribbon dancing) and focused on “opportunity” – pointing to the fact that Nationwide members have opened some 300 new locations over the last year.
“The economy is robust right now, and when things are going well, it represents opportunity,” Hickman began. “So this is a great time to invest in new categories to grow your business. And perhaps the biggest is the opportunity we see today in the connected home space, a $490 billion market.”
Hickman added that the connected home won’t be sold everywhere, but it will be sold at places like Best Buy. “This space represents the future of retail, and the connected home market is one you simply have to be engaged in,” he added.
Stressing Opportunity
“PrimeTime is more than just a business meeting or buying show – it’s an opportunity,” said Hickman. “This event gives our members access to the very best products, programs, tools and ideas to help their independent retail businesses thrive. And we do it all in just four days. But the best part of PrimeTime is the connections our members are able to make with one another in training classes, during networking gatherings and on the show floor. It’s invaluable.”
Hickman was followed by former NASA astronaut Mike Massimino, a veteran of two space flights and four spacewalks who was the first person to tweet from space, and who spoke about leadership, from the unique perspective of an astronaut.
Massimino recalled the roller coaster he rode to becoming an astronaut – overcoming a fear of heights and bad eyesight to name but a few hurdles – but, undaunted, he overcame these issues – and after applying four times he was accepted to the NASA training program.
“Hardest thing was just getting selected, but those trials and tribulations were important and helped me understand what I was getting into,” he explained. “I quickly realized there was going to be no time to rest.”
Perhaps more important, Massimino discovered what leadership and teamwork truly meant, telling Nationwide members, “You really need to care for and admire something about everyone on your team – and they need to know that. Take the effort to get to know your team.”
No Child Hungry
Nationwide’s impactful No Child Hungry program also held center stage as PrimeTime attendees, once again, took part meal-packing to support this remarkable program.
“Nationwide Marketing Group and its members have taken a direct approach to fighting childhood hunger, and the results are amazing,” explained William Lowry, president of No Child Hungry. “While making ‘Giving Back’ a commitment and a part of every meeting they hold, they have packed hundreds of thousands of meals for those in need. And just last year, this group packed its one-millionth meal. This feat is amazing not just for the scale and number of meals packed, but because it represents kids fed. We are so proud to partner with Nationwide Marketing Group and look forward to feeding more kids here in Houston.”
Over 150,000 meals are expected to be packed at the event this week alone, as No Child Hungry continues to roll along.
Other highlights of the event this week will include:
- More than 250,000 square feet of trade show exhibition space featuring 200-plus manufacturers and service providers, including a dedicated outdoor pavilion showcasing outdoor demonstrations, free food samples and exclusive discounts from leading grill and furniture vendors.
- PrimeTime Palooza, a fast-paced, high-energy, 90-minute event featuring limited-quantity deals that can save members thousands of dollars on show purchases.
- Millions of dollars in Cash Back rewards for purchases made at PrimeTime – with money reimbursed right at the show.
- The Backyard BBQ and Brews event featuring a performance by Nationwide member Grant Webb, owner, Webb’s Home Store in Emmett, Idaho, and lead singer of the Grant Webb Band.
- The WIN: Women In Nationwide breakfast and networking event, which will include a member panel featuring Victoria Alicea from Queen City Audio Video & Appliances, Kathy Genovese from Howard’s Appliance TV & Mattress, April Potter from Badcock Home Furniture & More, Renee Spresser from Paul’s Furniture and Susie Swanson from Hutchins TV & Appliance.
- Expansion of Nationwide Connected Home to include a new connected home technical support program and an interactive in-store display merchandising program, which will help members gain their share of the enormous connected home market. In addition, the Nationwide connected tiny home will be back on the show floor, and members will get to learn more about the new Google Nest Prime Retail Program, which gives Nationwide members exclusive independent-channel rights to sell Google Nest products, whether they offer custom installation or not.
- Exclusive access to PrimeTime-special discounts on digital rewards, including co-op-eligible campaigns, to help members better compete in today’s retail world.
- Targeted merchandising sessions for members focused on major appliances, consumer electronics, and furniture and bedding.
- Networking opportunities for several specialty groups within Nationwide, including Nationwide RentDirect, Home Technology Specialists Nationwide (HTSN), • Nationwide’s NextGen young professionals’ organization and Nationwide’s servicing dealer network.
- The second AT&T Champions training, a two-day, all-inclusive boot camp available only to Nationwide Marketing Group members that gives front-line salespeople all the training and tools they need to launch successful AT&T programs in their home stores.
(Photo: Pexels)
