MEGA Group USA Reports Successful Fall National Convention

Furniture World News Desk on 8/19/2015

President of MEGA Rick Bellows giving the opening remarks (above)


MEGA Group USA reported that its fall national convention was a seen as a great success with over 1,200 independent retailer locations and vendors gathered together in the home of the famous Louisville Slugger Baseball Factory and Museum. Attendees experienced three days of training from world-class vendors, informational sessions from professionals in the appliance, home furnishings, bedding and electronics industry; and received exclusive buying specials during the MEGA Madness event.

MEGA members sat in on 16 sessions of appliance vendor training, covering skills in merchandising a sales floor through the eyes of a consumer, and why dealers should merchandise built-in products. S.V.P. of Electrolux, Mark Chambers, addressed a packed crowd of appliance dealers, covering U.S. economic indicators and shipment trends/forecasts in the appliance industry. Over 150 members listened to mattress/bedding professionals in the three-part session, Mattress University. Leaders from Tempur + Sealy, Serta and Simmons answered questions in a panel discussion, while Executive Editor of Furniture Today, David Perry, discussed mattress news and happenings to kick off the program.

MEGA also provided a variety of new sessions. From their latest addition of personnel talent, MEGA’s Director of Training, Doug Stewart, focused on accountability of retailers to their staff, while Marketing Manager, Brooke Feldman, focused on retailer questions on their marketing plans and budgets. Missy Hodges, V.P. of Appliances, hosted an outdoor workshop, discussing with members how to help grow their business in a new, popular category. Many MEGA members took interest in learning about the rapidly growing home automation category, focusing on how to build and merchandise to become more profitable and diverse. The MEGA Finance Exchange was announced to the attending membership with instant success. The dozen of members that signed up took advantage of the value the program brings by creating more profit through larger tickets and sales.

A new division of MEGA, The MEGA Tech Group, comprised of former RadioShack franchises, hosted a full day of meetings and workshops. Members gained firsthand knowledge of all MEGA member business services and new vendor programs. “These independent retailers have been without the support they need since the RadioShack bankruptcy,” said Jim Sendrak, Executive V.P. of Electronics and Marketing. “We’re delighted to be able to welcome them to our business family.”

President of Serta Simmons Bedding, Michael Traub, delivered the keynote speech, focusing on specific challenges retailers are facing with the evolution of e-commerce businesses. The research and case studies showcased emphasized that with the help of MEGA’s services, an independent retailer can stay above the competition. His address ended on a high note, with a gift of an inscribed Louisville Slugger baseball bat presented by Jerry Honea, Executive VP of Furniture & Mattresses of MEGA.

MEGA Madness kicked off the buying show with over 40 vendors participating. MEGA members rushed into a ballroom to take advantage of great buys on area rugs, refrigerator filters, LED HDTVs, washer and dryers and more. The 130,000 sq. feet showroom floor of the Louisville Convention Center, also displayed latest products from over 100 vendors, while offering one-on-one interaction with sales and merchandising staff.

MEGA Group USA’s long-standing digital partner, Retailer Web Services, presented over 4 seminars on the new and improved MEGA WebFronts. Co-founder, Jennie Gilbert, highlighted the digital marketing tools at affordable price points. The assets available to MEGA members can assist a retailer on not just promotional activity, but the opportunity to make their presence known in more effective ways.

The fall convention closed with an ode to Louisville featuring Kentucky’s #1 country-rock-party band, Artie Dean Harris and Bourbontown, a batting cage, and bourbon tasting sponsored by Whirlpool. Members and vendors danced the night away before heading back home to their stores. The MEGA Group Spring National Convention will be held March 11-14, 2016 at the Dolphin Hotel and Convention Center in Orlando, FL.

To learn more about the next MEGA Group USA convention and show, visit www.megagroupshow.com or call 888.332.3344.

ABOUT MEGA GROUP USA: MEGA Group USA is the fastest growing national home furnishings buying organization in the country with retail members in the furniture, electronic, appliance and mattress industries. MEGA Group USA is dedicated to the online success of every member and is committed to providing cutting-edge, effective and practical resources as technology continues to evolve and be the driving resource to reaching consumers. MEGA also provides their members excellent products and services including insurance, group vendor programs, custom advertising and marketing services, consulting, store merchandising, and information technology support aimed at driving floor traffic, improving sales and profits and enhancing operating efficiencies. MEGA Group USA has 1700 retail members in 3,000 store fronts throughout the United States. For more information on MEGA Group USA visit www.MEGAgroupusa.com.