ASB Holds Summer Conference, Presents Awards
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
American Solutions for Business
Brainerd, MN – American Solutions for Business held its National Sales Conference, August 22-26, 2007 at Cragun’s Resort and Convention Center near Brainerd, Minnesota. Approximately 300 sales associates attended, taking part in daily seminars and workshops and the many other activities scheduled during the week. Eight company seminars and panel discussions were held on Thursday. And on Friday, nine vendors presented workshops relating to their specific areas of focus in the industry. David Sinker’s comedy troupe, Sinker Swim, from the Chicago area, performed throughout week, weaving a touch of humor throughout the conference. The week was rounded out with a golf tournament, a wine tasting event, pontoon cruises on Gull Lake and a demonstration/workshop on jewelry making.
At the annual awards banquet and ceremony held Thursday evening, 62 sales associates were inducted into the Million Dollar Club, 14 individuals became Two Million Dollar Club members, nine associates earned Three Million Dollar status and two were honored at the Four Million Dollar level. The Million Dollar Club Awards are based on sales volumes.
In addition, the following awards were given:
President’s Club (top associates) (65)
Rookies of the Year (2)
Sales Associate of the Year (2)
President’s Award (2)
Eagle Award (5)
Dusty DePree Memorial Award (1)
Dave Corradino Memorial Award (1)
Board of Directors Award (3)
Top 25 Vendors
Teraco, Inc. of Midland, Texas; Leashables by Oralabs of Parker, Colorado; and Crystal D of St. Paul, Minnesota, were given Rising Star Vendor Awards for their consistent growth with American during the past year.
The six-hour Vendor Showcase was held on Saturday with approximately 200 vendors taking part. American’s Marketing Team was present to display and sell American-branded items from the Company eStore in a booth called ‘American Marketplace.’
At all recent conferences, the ASB Conference Team has selected a theme that is used throughout the week. This year’s theme was borrowed from a television show that aired the 1960s entitled Gilligan’s Island, in which a group of people were stranded on an uncharted deserted island in the Pacific Ocean. In his welcome, President and CEO, Larry Zavadil, stated, “In 1981, when I founded American, I left the ‘mainland’ and sailed to a deserted island. Set apart from the other companies because of our unique culture and our distinctive infrastructure, American truly was in a world by itself.”
Vendors attending the conference were invited to follow the chosen theme in their tradeshow booths and in their attire at the Vendor Showcase. An independent panel of judges chose several winning participants, each receiving free booth space at the next ASB Vendor Showcase in February, 2008. The winning vendors were: Priority Envelope of Plymouth, Minnesota; Dubow Textile of St. Cloud, Minnesota; Smash Print/Stain Imaging of Salt Lake City, Utah; and Spectra Print Corporation of Stevens Point, Wisconsin.
Based in Glenwood, Minnesota, American Solutions for Business (an employee-owned company) is an industry-leading distributor of printing, promotions and enterprise-wide document management solutions. Founded in 1981, the company's 2007 booked sales are listed at $240 million. Sales and distribution occur in the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico. Website: www.americanbus.com
Some of the ASB Conference Team are pictured on the set after the opening session on Gilligan’s Island. Back, L-R, Craig McLain, Larry Zavadil, Jill Walerius, Curt Briggs. Middle, L-R, Sadie Schlief, Rose Shorma, Sarah Hoidahl, J.P. Shea, Raleigh Wold. Front, L-R, Sam Triplett, Wayne Martin, Julie Mensing, Wendy Schiffler, Craig Moe.
A large number of vendors attending the ASB Vendor Showcase participated in the theme, Gilligan’s Island, during ASB’s summer conference in Northern Minnesota recently. The photograph shows six different vendor representatives posing together with ASB personnel. Front, L-R, Wayne Martin, ASB's VP of Sales Operations; Melinda Christiancy (Ginger), Delforms; Jessica Gatewood (Marrianne), ASI; Rob Dubow (Gilligan) Dubow Textile; Dan Adams (the Skipper) Priority Envelope; Julie Mensing, AS's Conference Coordinator/Vendor Relations. Back, Paula Heyer (Mrs. Howell) Label Works and Jim Krahling, (Mr. Howell) Business Solutions Group.
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