Distributor Briefs

By TWICE Staff On May 21 2012 - 4:01am

Capitol’s CLI Expo Illustrates Trends, Sales Techniques

EAGAN, MINN. — Capitol hosted more than 150 CE and custom-installation professionals during the 2012 Capitol Learning Institute (CLI) Expo on April 29-30 in Bloomington, Minn. The attendees participated in more than 72 training courses — covering everything from installations and technical overviews to product updates and sales tips -- conducted by 35 different companies.

“We had a great turnout for this year’s CLI Expo, in terms of both customers attending and vendors participating,” said Jeff Kussard, Capitol’s strategic development director. “The people I talked with expressed a real sense of optimism, as if they were reenergized about this business, and that’s good news for everyone.”

Some of the 42 vendors participating in the 2012 CLI Expo included CEDIA, Gefen, Lutron, Mitsubishi, Panasonic, Toshiba and Wilson Electronics. But the event wasn’t all business, as attendees were treated to an after-hours pool party sponsored by SoundCast. More than 28 prizes were given away over the two days. This was the 14th year of the CLI Expo, which is an opportunity for professionals interested in a training program that addresses the technologies and products for the coming year, the distributor said.

Almo Pro Expands D.C. Event

PHILADELPHIA — Almo Professional A/V has expanded the lineup at its E4 AV training and networking event in Washington, D.C., on May 18. Working in partnership with InfoComm International, the distributor has added Women in AV (WAVE) as a new presenter; new courses from Planar, Cables To Go, Samsung and Brawn Consulting; and product debuts from NanoLumens and Chief. During the event, Almo will also present the first E4 Education Ambassador award to Dr. Randy Lemke, executive director and CEO of InfoComm.

“With our E4 D.C. event taking place only a few weeks before InfoComm, many of our exhibiting manufacturers are taking advantage of this time to preview new products and topics that will be formally launched in June,” said Sam Taylor, executive VP/COO for Almo Professional A/V.

The event will be held at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, and is free to Almo Pro A/V’s reseller, integrator and consultant partners. For more information, visit www.e4avtour.com.

BrightPoint Highlights Services At CTIA Show

NEW ORLEANS – Mobile distributor BrightPoint showcased its services at the International CTIA Wireless 2012 show here earlier this month. First introduced earlier this year, its five key service areas – forecasting, marketing, customizing, logistics and recycling — encompass the strategic suite of end-to-end supply-chain and customization solutions that help customers access new channels and markets, achieve quicker responsiveness and greater flexibility, and lower cost structure to ensure stronger profitability, the company said.

CED Sets June 5 Grand Opening For New Facility

NORTHBROOK, ILL. — CED, a leading CE distributor and member of the PowerHouse Alliance, will celebrate the grand opening of its Bensenville, Ill., facility on June 5. The distribution center, the company’s third, is part of an ongoing expansion plan.

The new location is designed for the custom-installation market and will house an improved, fully-merchandised will-call for customers, which will serve as a selfpick area for CED’s customers and will streamline the ordering process, the distributor said.

Manufacturers’ representatives will be on site at the grand opening to answer customer questions about all of CED’s lines. Lunch and dinner will be served, and accounts in attendance will receive a door prize. CED will be raffling off numerous other gifts as well, the company said.