The Vernon Company (PPAI 109323) held its annual national sales meeting on April 15-17 at Paradise Point Resort in San Diego, California. The Newton, Iowa-based distributor brought nearly 100 account executives and 70 supplier partners together for the three-day event.
“Vernon’s National Sales Meeting can be described using one word: ‘fantastic!,’” says Dave Regan, vice president of sales and marketing for The Vernon Company. “Our account executives were buzzing about the renewed enthusiasm among their customers, which was just the news that our key suppliers wanted to hear as they mixed and mingled with Vernon’s best producers trying to find that special way to capture our client’s attention and business.”
Opening day of the meeting began with a fun, challenging group competition on the resort’s sandy beach. Andrea Smith, Vernon’s industry relations and communications manager, who planned many of the meeting’s activities, says, “With teams led by Vernon’s Platinum supplier partners, the company’s account executives battled each other for bragging rights and prizes. From the back-to-back race to the Cheeto head and brain teaser competitions, salespeople showed their competitive nature and went all out. We couldn’t have asked for a better kickoff to our meeting.”
A more formal awards banquet was held the first evening in San Diego during which a number of the company’s top producers, rising stars and supplier partners were recognized. The second and third mornings of the meeting included up-close-and-personal sessions in which the company’s Platinum and Gold suppliers shared case studies and more in small group settings. On the afternoon of the second day, salespeople took advantage of a 70-booth tabletop show from supplier partners.
The meeting concluded with a luncheon recognizing Vernon’s Million Dollar Club members, followed by a presentation from retired Army Sergeant-turned yoga instructor, Dan Nevins, who told his personal story about survival and living your best life. And though his speech ended with a standing ovation and closed out the meeting, the support for his efforts continues. To date, Vernon’s account executives and home office staff have raised more than $5,000 for Dan’s Warrior Spirit Retreat endeavor.
“From the first day of the meeting to the final words of wisdom and experience shared by Dan Nevins, this year’s sales meeting was a tremendous success,” adds Regan. “San Diego will be hard to beat, but we’re already planning for next year’s sales meeting in Charleston, South Carolina in April 2020.”
