Nearly 100 manufacturer’s representatives and manufacturers gathered for the annual Independent Professional Representatives Organization (IPRO) conference on October 12-13 in Dallas.
This year’s conference was titled, “Maximizing Sales and Profits Through People, Process, and Relationships.” Because the event was held just prior to the start of the CEDIA EXPO, it allowed representative principals to attend, as well as their sales staff, availing more current market information and valuable input to attendees, noted IPRO conference chairman Eric Bodley.
“It is so important that reps and manufacturers get together to discuss best practices and how to continually improve our working relationships,” Bodley said.
IPRO’s executive director Ray Wright noted that the conference is the most important benefit offered to IPRO members. “When you have that many smart and experienced people sitting in workshops and roundtable discussions, something wonderful happens, members always comment that these ideas and planning sessions are instrumental in improving the performance and profitability of their companies. CEDIA has made an extensive commitment to IPRO and both industries help to strengthen each other.”
Dave Humphries IPRO member and CEDIA board of directors member, added that CEDIA’s new CEO, Vin Bruno, is committed to working with other organizations, and that the IPRO board wanted to maximize attendance by co-locating with EXPO.
“The ongoing CEDIA commitment to build representative growth is evidenced in CEDIA participation in the large IPRO reception Thursday evening. This is an ongoing evolutionary experience of growth,” he said. IPRO and CEDIA are co-hosting a Manufacturer Representative Reception Thursday, from 5-7 p.m. at the O
Omni Hotel.
Look for the full IPRO Conference 2015 report in an upcoming issue of Residential Systems and online.
