NISSCO Focuses On Preparation

National Independent Sanitary Supply Companies (NISSCO) recently held its annual conference, hosted at the Hyatt Regency, Hill Country Resort and Spa in San Antonio, Texas in April.

Prior to the conference, every distributor received a “Prepper kit,” packed with new, unique, high-margin or under-represented items from suppliers to get a head start on a successful event.

Besides learning about products, conference attendees were presented with a marketing update and educational sessions on GHS and credit card processing. Attendees also enjoyed private meetings with distributors and suppliers — including with ISSA — networking and a fiesta night.

“As many shows and conferences diminish in size, the NISSCO Conference is growing,” says Mark Bozich, NISSCO president. “Responses from our 2014 San Antonio conference confirm we are on the right path in service to our distributors.”
One of the highlights of the show was the awards banquet where NISSCO handed out high honors.

NISSCO’s Distributor of the Year award went to Banner Systems, of Brockton, Massachusetts. It is the second time the company, owned by John Channell, has been honored with the award.

“In 2000, when Banner Systems first won the award they were your standard old school distribution house. Orders were written manually in the field, or called in to the office,” says Bozich. “In 2014, Banner is now one of the most high-tech companies in our business. They have reinvented themselves not only to remain relevant, but to place their company on a continuous path for growth.”

Its numerous initiatives include social media and search engine optimization, implementing distribution software programs and other marketing and sales strategies, Bozich says.

In addition, LagasseSweet, of Deerfield, Illinois, was honored as the group’s Supplier of the Year. Bozich says it wasn’t easy for the organization to select the nominees for the award.

“There are a number of variables that we use to measure performance and in 2013, LagasseSweet met or exceeded every criterion we use,” Bozich says.