A N N UA L CO N FE R E N C E
JANUARY 28 – 31, 2015
Hilton San Diego Bayfront
1 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA
619-564-3333
79846_NEMRA15Agenda_web.indd 1
9/12/14 10:12 AM
12:00–6:00 PM
Product Showcase & Business Service Exposition Booths Open
Looking for a new line or service provider? Stop by the Expo area to see a
varied offering of manufacturers and service providers.
12:00 — 2:00 PM CEMRA Meeting
1:00–1:30 PM
NEMRA Past Chairman’s Briefing
EDUCATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SESSIONS
The NEMRA Board of Directors and the NMG Executive Committee have designated
Wednesday afternoon as time for all attendees to attend educational sessions.
Technology/Productivity
12:00–1:00 PMNEMRA Network—The Industry CRM Solution—Jim Bannon and
Kurt Nelson, NEMRA Information Technologies
Interested in a cost-effective and easy-to-implement Customer
Relationship Management application for your business? The NEMRA
Information Technologies team will demonstrate the NEMRA Network,
the only CRM system designed specifically for reps and manufacturers
in the electrical industry, and how it can help you grow your sales.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2015
12:00—6:00 PM
Conference Registration and NEMRA Concierge Desk Open
2:00 —4:30 PM NEMRA Board of Directors Meeting
Recommended for both reps and manufacturers seeking to deploy
a CRM system or convert to the NEMRA industry standard.
12:00–1:00 PMWhy Electrical Marketers Should Pay Attention to Content
Marketing—John O’Hara, Eric Mower + Associates
Content marketing isn’t just the latest marketing trend. It’s something
marketers have been doing for the last 100 years. But why is it now
getting so much attention? John O’Hara from Eric Mower + Associates,
a widely recognized leader in B2B branding and communications, will
explain why and will outline simple steps electrical marketers of any size
can use to get the job done.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2015
6:30 AM—6:00 PM
Conference Registration and NEMRA Concierge Desk Open
8:00—10:00 AM NEMRA Manufacturers Group NMG Executive
Committee Meeting
9:00 AM—12:00 PM Manufacturers’ Best Practices−“Selling with Reps”
Mary Repetto, MRERF
Mary Repetto returns for her third year to conduct this very popular
session for manufacturers. Primarily intended for national and regional
sales managers, this session will provide valuable tips on how to gain
greater results from your rep sales force. Through a combination of lecture
and interactive dialogue, attendees will gain a greater understanding of
how to better manage and communicate with their reps.
Sponsored by NEMRA Manufacturers Group (NMG)
Recommended for regional and national sales managers and for
manufacturers new to working with NEMRA reps.
10:00–10:50 AM
Optional Business Review Session A
11:00–11:50 AM
Optional Business Review Session B
NEW—We have added two new Business Review time slots to the
agenda this year. NEMRA will provide designated meeting venues
for early arrivals to get a head start on their meetings.
79846_NEMRA15Agenda_web.indd 2
Marketing
Recommended for NMG manufacturer marketing and communication
attendees and for NEMRA reps interested in growing their business
and brand in the digital age.
Sales
1:30–3:00 PMThe Seven Deadly Sins of Desperation Selling—Dr. Tom Sant,
Hyde Park Partners
When economic times are tough or the numbers just aren’t coming
in, sales people sometimes grow desperate, and when they do, they
often commit mistakes—“deadly sins”—that make matters worse. In this
session, Dr. Tom Sant, hailed as “one of the 10 best sales trainers in
the world” by Selling Power magazine, will present a humorous, but insightful, look at the seven worst mistakes sales professionals can make.
More importantly, he’ll show you what to do instead to accelerate sales
momentum and increase your win rate.
Recommended for all attendees interested in improving their
selling skills.
9/12/14 10:12 AM
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2015 (con’t.)
Channel Marketing
1:30–3:00 PMAlternative Distribution in the Electrical Channel—Bob Segal,
Frank Lynn & Associates
The proliferation of alternate distribution channels—those outside
traditional brick-and-mortar electrical distributors—has raised many
eyebrows in recent years. Growing concerns over their present and
potential impact loom for many in the electrical distribution industry. Will
they gain a substantial part of the market? Are they poised to be a big
threat to the bottom line? Bob Segal of the channel and market strategy
firm Frank Lynn & Associates will present the research they have done
for the NAED Education Foundation. Attendees will learn about the
threats these firms present and the channel strategy we can employ to
successfully compete against alternative channels.
Recommended for all attendees interested in understanding the
threats to our electrical channel.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2015
6:30 AM—5:00 PM 7:00 — 8:00 AM Continental Breakfast
For all registered attendees.
7:00 —8:00 AM The NEMRA Café
Available for manufacturers to schedule breakfast group meetings.
(Café requires advance reservations)
Rep/Manufacturer Relations
3:15–4:45 PMThe Biggest Challenges between Reps and Manufacturers—
Bryan Shirley
There is no doubt that the independent rep/manufacturer selling method has been very successful in our industry. Yet, there are things that
continue to hold us back from achieving even greater growth and profitability. In this session, Bryan Shirley will facilitate a lively discussion
on the key rep/manufacturer issues that impede our mutual progress.
Based on pre-conference survey work, Bryan will tee up the issues and
offer your suggestions on how we can all work together to overcome
our biggest challenges.
Recommended for all attendees who want a better understanding of
rep/manufacturer issues.
5:00–6:00 PM
NEMRA/CEMRA Representative Members-Only General Session
6:00–7:00 PM
NEMRA Cocktail Reception for all Registered Attendees
Conference Registration and NEMRA Concierge Desk Open
7:00 — 8:00 AM Networking Breakfast for Women in NEMRA
New event in 2015—NEMRA invites all women attendees to have
breakfast together. Come meet your fellow NEMRA attendees and
discuss topics of mutual interest.
7:00 AM—5:00 PM Product Showcase and Business Service
Exposition Booths Open
Looking for a new line or service provider? Stop by the Expo area to see
a varied offering of manufacturers and service providers.
8:15— 9:15 AM Manufacturer Sales Meeting #1/Optional Business
Review Session
9:30 — 10:30 AM Manufacturer Sales Meeting #2/Optional Business
Review Session
9:30 — 11:00 AM Spouse Coffee
Come meet old and new friends alike during a casual coffee with other
spouses attending the conference.
10:45— 11:45 AM Manufacturer Sales Meeting #3/Optional Business
Review Session
12:00 — 1:00 PM Manufacturer Sales Meeting #4/Optional Business
Review Session
1:15— 2:15 PM Manufacturer Sales Meeting #5/Optional Business
Review Session
2:30 — 3:30 PM Manufacturer Sales Meeting #6/Optional Business
Review Session
3:45— 4:45 PM Manufacturer Sales Meeting #7/Optional Business
Review Session
5:00–6:00 PM
Networking Reception for NEMRA Next Generation
All Next Generation attendees are invited to a networking reception.
Come meet your fellow “next gens” in a relaxed social setting.
79846_NEMRA15Agenda_web.indd 3
9/12/14 10:12 AM
FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 2015
6:30 AM—5:00 PM Conference Registration and NEMRA Concierge Desk Open
6:30 —7:30 AM Continental Breakfast
For all registered attendees.
6:30 —7:30 AM The NEMRA Café
Available for manufacturers to schedule breakfast group meetings.
(Café requires advance reservations)
7:45—9:30 AM General Session Keynote Address—Anders Sorman-Nilsson,
Futurist and Innovation Strategist
SATURDAY, JANUARY 31, 2015
Digital disruption is upon us and seemingly impacting almost
everything we do. What impact will it have on us as sales and marketing
professionals? Will our customers simply buy everything online in the
future? Futurist Anders Sorman-Nilsson will speak to the digital trends
we face and how we find the middle ground between the digital and
analog worlds, the area where most of our customers want us to be.
6:30 AM—2:00 PM Conference Registration and NEMRA Concierge Desk Open
6:30 — 7:45 AM Continental Breakfast
7:00 — 7:45 AM Business Review Session #4
Business Review Session Booth area closed from 7:45-9:30 AM
during General Session.
7:00 — 7:20 AM Mini Business Review Session #4A
Product Showcase and Business Service Exposition
Booths Open
8:00 — 8:45 AM Business Review Session #5
8:00 — 8:20 AM Mini Business Review Session #5A
9:00 — 9:45 AM Business Review Session #6
9:00 — 9:20 AM Mini Business Review Session #6A
10:00 — 10:45 AM Business Review Session #7
Come join us for a fun-filled art experience followed by lunch. No
artistic experience necessary, step-by-step instruction will be provided
by the Painting and Vino instructor. This event will be held at the San
Diego Wine & Culinary Center close by the hotel. A shuttle bus will be
provided for those who prefer not to walk.
10:00 — 10:20 AM Mini Business Review Session #7A
11:00 — 11:45 AM Business Review Session #8
11:00 — 11:20 AM Mini Business Review Session #8A
12:00— 12:45 PM Business Review Session #9
9:45—10:45 AM Manufacturer Sales Meeting #8/Optional Business
Review Session
1:00 — 1:45 PM Business Review Session #10
11:00 AM—12:00 PM Manufacturer Sales Meeting #9/Optional Business
Review Session
2:00 — 2:45 PM Business Review Session #11
3:00 — 3:45 PM Business Review Session #12
4:00 — 4:45 PM Business Review Session #13
4:45 PM Conference Adjourns
9:30 AM—5:00 PM Looking for a new line or service provider? Stop by the Expo area to
see a varied offering of manufacturers and service providers.
9:45 AM—2:00 PM Spouse Program (offsite)—Painting and Vino (San Diego Wine
& Culinary Center)
12:15–1:15 PMManufacturer Sales Meeting #10/Optional Business
Review Session
1:30–2:30 PMManufacturer Sales Meeting #11/Optional Business
Review Session
2:45—3:30 PM Business Review Session #1
2:45—3:05 PM Mini Business Review Session #1A
3:45—4:30 PM Business Review Session #2
3:45—4:05 PM Mini Business Review Session #2A
4:45—5:30 PM Business Review Session #3
4:45—5:05 PM Mini Business Review Session #3A
79846_NEMRA15Agenda_web.indd 4
Looking forward to seeing you in
Dallas, TX
February 3 - 6, 2016
28 Deer Street, Suite 302
Portsmouth, NH 03801
(914) 524-8650
Email: nemra@nemra.org
www.nemra.org
© 2014, National Electrical Manufacturers Representatives Association
9/12/14 10:12 AM