Vernon-Group-Photo

The Vernon Company (UPIC: Vernon) hosted its annual national sales meeting, Vernon University, April 19-20, at the Des Moines Marriott Downtown in Des Moines, Iowa. The three-day event brought together 100 Vernon account executives and over 75 supplier partners. This was the first time in almost 50 years that the Newton, Iowa-based distributor held a national event in Iowa.

Vernon University’s first day featured educational workshops and roundtable discussions with topics ranging from social media to college licensing, and a welcome reception that was open to all Vernon corporate office staff, as well as the account executives in attendance. The second day included supplier presentations and a trip to the Vernon corporate headquarters in Newton, where account executives toured the facilities and met support staff.

“This year’s meeting in our hometown allowed our account executives to bond with members of our internal support team,” says Dave Regan, vice president of sales and marketing for The Vernon Company. “Both staff and account executives enjoyed the interaction and walked away with a stronger appreciation for what the other does on a daily basis.”

The final day of Vernon University also included a trade-show featuring the company’s preferred vendors and a luncheon honoring Vernon’s Million Dollar Club members. The day concluded with a formal awards banquet recognizing the company’s top producers, rising stars and supplier partners. At the awards banquet, the distributor also recognized SanMar as its 2015 Supplier of the Year.

(From left) Christina Hamilton, account executive at SanMar and Susan Rye, director of strategic accounts at SanMar, receive the supplier's Supplier of the Year trophy with Vicki Palm, director of marketing at The Vernon Company.

(From left) Christina Hamilton, account executive at SanMar and Susan Rye, director of strategic accounts at SanMar, receive the supplier's Supplier of the Year trophy with Vicki Palm, director of marketing at The Vernon Company.

The Supplier of the Year Award is given annually to the industry supplier that provides the best overall service to The Vernon Company and its customers. The award is based on important quality considerations including product selection and quality, pricing, customer service, problem resolution and marketing support programs.

“SanMar is a great partner to The Vernon Company,” says Vicki Palm, director of marketing for The Vernon Company. “They have been instrumental in helping increase our overall apparel sales as a company. In a survey to our account executives and internal support departments, SanMar received more ’exceptional‘ votes than any other supplier.”

Susan Rye, director of strategic accounts at SanMar, adds, “We are deeply honored to accept the Supplier of the Year Award. It is humbling for us to be recognized by such an amazing organization as The Vernon Company. As much as we appreciate this award and as grateful we are for it, the greatest reward is simply being given the opportunity to work with a group of wonderful people at Vernon.”