In 2009, Vend-o-Palooza traveled to 20 different AVAD branch locations.
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL—In a year fraught with market shifts and economic challenges, consumer electronics distributor AVAD responded to its dealers’ changing needs with new offerings in the commercial AV and security markets. Growing in tandem with its core customer base’s evolution from primarily residential installation into “light commercial” work, the AVAD lineup now includes AKG, Bogen, Crown, Denon Professional, JBL, and Speco Technologies, along with new professional video offerings from AVAD partners Samsung and Panasonic.
AVAD’s intent for the expansion extends further than standalone product offerings and into integrated solutions, “enhancing sales for our dealers to go beyond 70-volt audio into video and lighting control,” explained Cynthia Menna, senior manager of business development for AVAD. “Our next step is bundling solutions and giving our dealers a bit more direction in terms of up-selling.”
With an average of 140 dealers attending each Vend-o-Palooza, and more vendors participating in this, the event’s second year, AVAD plans for more growth 2010. “Our target next year is 3,500 dealer attendees,” noted Wally Whinna, EVP of marketing for AVAD, adding, “the events are building on themselves.”
