Confluence Holdings Corp. has finalized the positioning for its brands, its new sales team, and its pre-season program in preparation for the 2005/06 selling season and Outdoor Retailer Summer Market.
“We have had a lot to accomplish between the time of announcing our acquisition of WaterMarks paddlesport division and preparing for the Outdoor Retailer show,” said Rich Feehan, Confluence Holdings Corp. CEO. “At OR, Confluence will show the outdoor and paddlesports community who we are, where we are going, and why Confluence is the clear market leader.”
The merger of Confluence and WaterMarks paddlesports division in May of 2005 created “the premier paddlesports company in the world.” Confluence was created in 1998 by the merger of Wilderness Systems® and Mad River Canoe®, and with the additions of Dagger®, Perception®, Mainstream®, Harmony® and AT Paddles® the company will continue to operate as Confluence.
Confluence claims to have the largest portfolio of leading brands in the industry and as such is able to provide boats to multiple channels, minimizing conflict. Each brand is positioned by design, price, and distribution to ensure that the right boat makes it to the right customer through the appropriate channel.The run-down from Confluence:
- Touring, Recreation and Sit-On-Top
Wilderness Systems
As the defining brand of the group, Wilderness Systems drives the kayaking experience to new levels, with critical attention to materials, hull performance and user enjoyment. Wilderness Systems will be available to specialty retailers and select chains, priced at the top of each category it is represented in, with specific models keystoned.
Perception
The legendary name continues its promise of versatile, dependable boats that bring people into the sport. Perception boats will be competitively priced and available to specialty and select chains.
Dagger
Dagger is dedicated to a technically pure kayaking experience for the touring, light touring and the recreational enthusiast. Dagger will only be available to specialty retailers, priced in the upper third of the market, with specific models keystoned.
Mainstream
Value oriented boats that simply perform: on the water and on the retail floor. Mainstream will be priced in lower third of the market, and though targeted to general sporting goods retailers, will be available to all channels.
- Whitewater
Wave Sport
Wave Sport is all about pushing limits and setting the standard in whitewater performance. Available only to specialty retailers, Wave Sport will be priced at the top of the market with specific models keystoned.
Dagger
Dagger is the innovative performer with inspired whitewater designs that challenge convention. Available only to specialty retailers, Dagger will be priced at the top of the market with specific models keystoned.
- Canoes
Mad River Canoe
Relentlessly pushing the limits of design, materials and craftsmanship to produce the perfect paddling machine, Mad River Canoe continues to be a leader in the canoe market. Available to specialty and select chains, Mad River will be priced at the top of each category it is represented in.
Our sales reps
Confluence has reorganized its sales force to best serve its burgeoning number of retailers. Each territory will be served by a team of veteran sales reps who will handle all the brands.
- Northeast NJ, NY, CT, RI, MA, VT, NH, ME
Senior Sales Rep Mike Macdonald
Senior Sales Consultant Steve Long
- Mid Atlantic PA, MD, DE, VA, WV, NC, SC, NORTH GA
Senior Sales Rep Harry Longerbeam
- Southeast SOUTH GA, FL, AL, MS
Senior Sales Rep Frank Stapleton
- Rockies/Gulf LA, TX, OK, NE, CO, NM, UT, SOUTH WY
Senior Sales Rep Joel McBride
- Eastern Great Lakes OH, KY, TN, AR, IN, MI
Senior Sales Rep Greg Larson
- Western Great Lakes MN, WI, ND, SD, IL, IA, MO, KS
Senior Sales Rep Dave Larson
- Northwest WA, OR, ID, MT, NORTH WY
Senior Sales Rep Ted Keyes
- West Coast CA, NV, AZ
Senior Sales Rep Jared Noceti
- Western Canada
Senior Sales Rep Kevin Henderson
- Ontario, CA
Sales Rep Paul Brittain
- Eastern Canada
Sales Rep Andrew Sterling
Our pre-season program
With so many strong brands to choose from to create the perfect product mix for any sized retailer, Confluence has created a flexible pre-season program that works to the strength of the retailer and the brands. Retailers can combine their orders for Dagger, Perception, Wilderness Systems, Wave Sport, Mainstream, and Mad River Canoe to reach the highest volume discount levels. In this case bigger means better: better terms, bigger discounts, and better margins.
What we are doing at OR
OR is the biggest show for Confluence each year, and as much as the show is about writing orders and presenting new products, it is also about fun and the Open Air Demo epitomizes the fun factor at OR. Through out the Open Air Demo day, all of Confluences new and current boat models from all the brands will be available for paddling through out the day. Sales reps, product designers, and other staff will be on hand to answer any questions and explain the new products. Additionally, Confluence will be hosting a Carolina Bar-B-Que featuring traditional North and South Carolina fare.
Kayak Fishing
Through out the show members of Wilderness Systems professional kayak fishing team will be on hand. At the Open Air Demo they will be holding demonstrations and leading a kayak fishing tournament for any one interested. They will also be conducting demonstrations in the Confluence Booth and in the TAPPS Paddle Tank through out the show.
Paddle Fitness
Confluence, in conjunction with a team of fitness experts, has developed a paddle fitness program for on and off-water. Paddle Fitness demonstrations will be performed through out the Open Air Demo Day, on the Confluence Watersports stage as well as in the TAPPS Paddle Tank at the show.
Booth Parties
And what is the Outdoor Retailer show without beer? At the end of each show day Confluence will be hosing beer gatherings in their booth to toast another hard days work and prime evening activities.
IR Big Guns Show
Confluence is proud to be a major sponsor of this years IR Big Guns Show. On Saturday night August 13th, the Aerial World Champions will be crowned. The Marriot Ballroom will be packed as we salute the innovators in whitewater and those committed to sustainability with “Green Step” awards.
“Between the changes in Trinity and Easley and the finalizing of our sales structure we had a lot to prepare before the show,” said Kelley Woolsey, Confluence SVP Marketing and Sales. “Our efforts will be apparent when we present our programs and new products like the Zone outfitting system for Perception and Dagger.”