Annual Rep Conference and Awards Highlights

	The festivities were possible only through the generous support of the conference sponsors: Bob Cook Sales Considine Sales and Marketing Jim Wrobleski and Company The Kayes Company Inc. SS Sales and Marketing True High Performance Sales SEMA and MRC would like to thank the sponsors for their support, vision and commitment to the industry.

For most attendees, the SEMA Show doors do not open until Tuesday morning. For others, arriving early provides additional time for meetings, networking and education. Understanding this, the Manufacturers’ Rep Council (MRC) once again held its annual rep conference on the Sunday afternoon before the Show opening. Each year, the three-hour event begins with a fully catered networking mixer followed by an awards ceremony, and it concludes with an educational presentation.

This year’s presenter, Mary Repetto, president of Management Essentials, provided valuable insight into the communication channel between reps, manufacturers and accounts. During a Q&A session, Repetto facilitated a provocative conversation that addressed issues such as the role of technology in the rep industry and the evolving importance of
personal relationships.

A highlight of the afternoon occurred during the awards presentation when Tommy Jourdan of True High Performance Sales honored his father, Skeeter Jourdan, with induction into the MRC Hall of Fame. MRC also recognized Air Lift Company with its Sales Team Annual Recognition (STAR) award, which is given to an outstanding manufacturer’s sales team that promotes professional partnership with the
rep community.