Strategic Market Alliance staged its annual Member-Supplier Conference at the Arizona Grand Resort and Spa in Phoenix, in June 9. In addition to SMA’s suite meeting format, the event featured informative guest speakers from within and outside the distribution industry, as well as engaging receptions and social activities for fun, friendship and networking. 

More than 350 professionals from the foodservice, janitorial and sanitation distribution industry are attended this year’s conference, according to buying group. 

The theme for the conference was "Rise to the Challenge." 

“It’s an inspirational concept with universal meaning to the organizations and individuals attending the Conference, as we align to develop strategies for growth and delivery of ever greater value to our mutual end-user customers.”, said Jack Dietrich, SMA’s chief operating officer.

Noted economist Alan Beaulieu, president of ITR Economics, was the featured speaker at the conference’s opening session. Beaulieu brought his extensive business cycle trend analysis and consulting experience to the group, along with his perspective as Senior Economic Advisor to the National Association of Wholesalers and a Contributing Editor for Industry Week, and author of the book "Make Your Move."

Conference attendees were also presented to by Ted McKenna, senior research director at Corporate Executive Board. McKenna runs the CEB Sales offering for mid-sized sales organizations, building new products to help serve a membership of more than 300 companies. An expert on the Challenger Sale and how companies implement the Insight Selling Method, McKenna has written best practices and provided advice for executives across many critical sales-related areas.

During the conference, several suppliers, as well as SMA member-distributors, were recognized for exceptional performance over the past year, each receiving SMA’s ‘Navigator’ award. 

“Navigator has been established as the standard of excellence within the SMA family of companies for demonstration of value, impact and commitment to the business and partnership principles for which SMA stands.  Winners of the Navigator award have set the pace for all to follow and we are very pleased to recognize their performance.”, said Dick McGann, President and CEO of SMA. 

SMA Supplier recipients of 2014 SMA Navigator recognition include:
-    Dart Container
-    Pactiv
-    Genpak
-    Kimberly Clark Professional
-    Georgia Pacific Professional
-    Handi-Foil of America
-    SCA
-    GOJO

SMA Member-Distributor 2014 Navigator recipients include:
-    Allied Eagle Supply Co.
-    Alliance Paper and Foodservice
-    Brady Industries
-    Brame Specialty Company
-    Central Sanitary Supply
-    Nassco, Inc.
-    Regional Distributors, Inc.
-    Sikes Paper Company
-    Singer Equipment Co.
-    South Jersey Paper Products
-    Joshen Paper & Packaging
-    South Jersey Paper Products
-    Trade Supplies Inc.

SMA also recognized superior performance by suppliers and members in deployment of the group’s proprietary sales development program, O.S.C.A.R. 

“OSCAR is a unique program in our industry, a process and set of tools that align selling activities of Manufacturer and Distributor Reps, creating greater value and achieving higher impact," explained Chris Rowe, SMA’s head of Marketing Services.

Suppliers receiving O.S.C.A.R.™ recognition include:
-    Handi-Foil of America   
-    Impact

SMA members receiving O.S.C.A.R.™ recognition include:
-    Alliance Paper and Food Service
-    Brame Specialty Company
-    Borax Paper Products
-    Schneider Paper Products