Las Vegas – The BrandSource merchandising co-op wrapped up its Fall Convention & Expo here this week at Caesars Palace.
Highlights included a bittersweet send-off for CEO Bob Lawrence, who will hand off the group’s reins on Jan. 1 after more than 20 years at the helm. A successor is expected to be named in October.
Also at the show BrandSource introduced a competitive healthcare program for members’ businesses to help owners navigate the challenges and opportunities of the Affordable Care Act.
Elsewhere, dealers took advantage of deeply discounted show specials, scooping up 81,000 units during a 90-minute “Stampede” buy session; were inspired by keynote speaker and football great Joe Theismann; attended a “Women in Business” breakfast hosted by Judy Lawrence and featuring female execs from GE and Google; and sat in on a raft of seminars covering everything from healthly lifestyles to succession planning.
Scenes from the show can be seen here, and a complete BrandSource report will appear in the Sept. 8 print edition of TWICE.
