The Vernon Company (PPAI 109323) hosted its annual national sales meeting, Vernon University, April 10-12 at Renaissance Indian Wells in Indian Wells, California. The three-day event brought together nearly 100 of the Newton, Iowa, distributor’s account executives and more than 70 of its supplier partners.

“Vernon’s National Sales Meeting could have been described using one word—H-O-T,” says Dave Regan, vice president of sales and marketing for The Vernon Company. “The weather was hot, and this year’s sales are hot. The first five weeks of our new sales year have seen 13-percent increases in incoming orders. Salespeople were buzzing about the renewed enthusiasm among their customers, and this was just the news that our key suppliers wanted to hear as they mixed and mingled with Vernon’s best producers, trying to find that special way to capture our clients’ attention and business.”

Opening day featured an industry update and future forecast from ASI President Tim Andrews, followed by a welcome reception for all Vernon corporate office staff and account executives in attendance.

Vernon University’s second day included personal sessions with several of Vernon’s Preferred and Select vendors, allowing account executives to get ideas and selling tips from the vendors while taking a look at their new lines. Vernon’s Million Dollar Club members were honored during the day’s luncheon, and the evening concluded with a formal awards banquet recognizing the company’s top producers, rising stars and supplier partners.

The event’s final day featured sessions with Vernon’s vendors and a trade show, and ended with supplier-hosted small group dinners. During the Million Dollar Club Recognition Lunch, Vernon announced that next year’s national sales meeting will be held at The Peabody Hotel in Memphis Tennessee, and the 2018 Incentive Trip is planned for Whistler, British Columbia.