With the VOW Green Light expo now in its 6th year, this key event for the dealer channel is shaking things up this year, following feedback from a number of customers (from those who do and don't normally attend).
Previously a two-day event with a Gala Dinner in between, Green Light 2018 will offer a single packed day, with presentations, discussion groups, seminars, product demonstrations and an exhibition that will include many of the new products for 2019. The investment previously made in celebrity speakers and entertainers will instead be made in a series of business speakers with a proven track record in delivering sales success.
Adrian Butler, VOW's MD said, "the industry is in a very different place to where it was when Green Light was created. Our industry, the market and buyer behaviour are all changing, and the supply chain has to work together in different ways to support this.
"We estimate that there are around 6,000 dealer sales people in the UK, along with dealer principals who continue to look after key accounts. These are the people who provide the interface between the products and services and the people who actually buy them. When you think about it, they are responsible for the most important relationships of all, yet the opportunities for sales people to meet with suppliers are few and far between.
"Green Light will bring our key partners in the supplier and dealer communities together and will address the challenge of how we shape the future of our channel, with a new focus and relevance.
"Dealers have told us that the costs and time involved in being away overnight does influence their decision whether to attend, as well as whether to bring colleagues. By focusing on the business and getting everything into one day, that obstacle has been taken away. Now we have a format that works for them and an agenda that will deliver valuable content, tips and tools that they can take away and put into practice the next day. We're not trying to motivate them, they're already motivated, but we do want to highlight opportunities, inform them and deliver skills that they can translate into the sales that benefit us all."
The VOW Venture Awards, traditionally presented at the Green Light Dinner, will be announced during December and delivered to winners individually by members of the VOW Senior Management Team.
The VOW Green Light Event will take place from 10am to 4pm on Thursday 6th December 2018 at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole Hotel. Bookings are looking strong and VOW anticipate over 600 resellers and 70 suppliers will attend, making it the biggest Green Light yet.
For those who haven't booked yet, more information and online registration can be found at www.greenlightevent.com.
For delegates who would like to stay and make use of the hotel's facilities, VOW advise that the best room rates are available from the hotel itself, but delegates are advised to compare with a website such as hotels.com, booking.com or expedia.com.
For further information, please contact David Langdown at Focus7 International on 07495 023068 (email david@focus7int.com) or Helen Wade at VOW on 07770 303804 (email helen.wade@vowwholesale.co.uk).