Team Athletic Goods, Inc., the team buying group, has announced plans to hold its 2nd National Sales Training Seminar in conjunction with the SGMA Spring Market next year (June 11-13, 2007) in Las Vegas, Nevada. This decision was made by TAGs board of directors last month during the NSGA Management Conference in San Antonio, Texas.
“We started regional training seminars for our TAG dealers salesmen in 2003,” said Phil Steele, TAG’s COO. “These led to our first National Sales Training Seminar which was held in southern Missouri in June of last year. The response was so strong that we have committed to do another one next summer at the SGMA Spring Market.”
“To assemble 300-400 roadmen in one setting is quite an undertaking,” said Stan Morrison, TAGs CEO. “We did it once, quite successfully, and we believe the Las Vegas location will be ideal to do it again. With the major team vendors that are planning to attend this show, we could have a lot of help pulling this together.”
“In establishing the SGMA Spring Market, the SGMA Board of Directors recognized the critical role buying groups play in the team business today,” said SGMA President/CEO Tom Cove. “TAGs decision to bring hundreds of road sales people will bring immeasurable value to our team exhibitors.”
“We are thrilled about this news,” said Jim Hoff, vice president of sales for ASICS. “To have the opportunity to meet face-to-face with the roadmen and sales reps who present our products to schools and institutions is tremendous. It gives us the chance to reinforce the value of our brand.”
“This is reminiscent of how trade shows used to be run,” said Carl Ferraro, president of Regent Sports. “By giving the roadmen the opportunity to attend the Spring Market, they will get the chance to look at entire product lines, learn the latest technologies, and see new products being showcased. Its encouraging to know that we will have a chance to speak directly with the individuals who deliver the team merchandise to their final destinations. Their input is invaluable.”
Just a few weeks ago, SGMA announced the names of some of the larger companies that will exhibit at the show. They include New Balance Athletic Shoe, K2, ASICS, Under Armour, Horizon Fitness, Action Performance, Century Sporting Goods, Cramer Products, Franklin Sports, Gamenamics, InSport, Mueller Sports Medicine, Regent Sports, Riddell, Stamina Products, Upper Deck and Vital Apparel. Other recent show-related news included the announcement of the SportsOneSource Running Specialty Conference which will be held in conjunction with the SGMA Spring Market. SGMA has also partnered with The SportsOneSource Group to present an investor conference on the second day (Tuesday, June 12) of the SGMA Spring Market. The conference will include presentations by many public companies serving the global sporting goods, athletic footwear, and athletic apparel markets.
