Mega Group USA, the 1,700-member buying organization for independent furniture, bedding, appliance and CE dealers, joined rival groups in Orlando, Fla., this month for its biannual meeting and convention, running March 11-14 at the Disney Swan & Dolphin Hotel and Resort.
The theme of the event — “Connect, Learn, Thrive” — was underscored by a full day of training and seminars and a two-day buying show featuring more than 100 vendors and service suppliers.
Special sessions included Mattress University, where experts discussed the in-store experience, sleep accessories and how to sell more beds, while Whirlpool, Electrolux, GE, Samsung and LG held product trainings for appliance dealers. Sessions included product transitions, features and benefits, merchandising strategies, and how to maximize dealer profitability by category.
In addition, a new home décor workshop was introduced focusing on how to sell high-margin decorative add-ons like rugs, lighting and wall art.
Other breakout sessions tackled such topics as leadership, industry trends across multiple categories, marketing, and business software.
Additional highlights included the traditional “Mega Madness” buying session for limited-quantity show specials; a keynote on flawless execution from ex-fighter pilot and Afterburner founder/CEO James “Murph” Murphy; a review of Mega’s WebFronts Level 4 digital marketing strategy; plus a golf outing, poolside reception and downtime at Disney World.
