The Tool & Equipment Distributors Associates (TEDA) hosted its 25th consecutive vendor advisory meeting June 10-13 in Ellicott City, Maryland. The event was once again well-attended, with 150 pre-registered attendees and representatives from all 11 TEDA warehouse distributors, as well as tool and equipment manufacturers displaying their latest products.
TEDA is an incorporated marketing organization with members that serve key markets in the U.S. and Canada. The organization is committed to creative and innovative marketing of professional tools and equipment products, primarily through “two-step” distribution (warehouse distributor, mobile distributor).
The annual four-day meeting included a golf outing, networking reception, two-day exhibit show, and one-on-one private conferences between TEDA members and tool and equipment vendors. Attendees seemed to appreciate the meeting’s format and casual, relaxed atmosphere.
Glenn Pratt, TEDA president, lead the meeting with a presentation welcoming 25 first-time attendees, reviewing TEDA’s 2018 performance, and outlining goals for the coming year.
“In spite of continued consolidations and threat from the internet, the TEDA group … continues to grow,” Pratt said. “Our commitment to marketing has stood the test of time for 32 years and kept our membership competitive in a volatile and dynamic marketplace.”
Pratt noted that TEDA volume performance was up 12 percent in 2018, an improvement over the single-digit increases seen in prior years. He also said that while most tool categories were up last year, cordless electric power tools saw that largest jump of over 39 percent.
During the exhibit show, attendees had six minutes to interact with each tool and equipment vendor, ensuring that each visitor was able to speak to all vendors and maintain a focus on new products and opportunities.
“I hope that everyone found this meeting to be informative, beneficial to future dealers with TEDA, its warehouse members, [and] especially our first-time attendees,” Pratt concluded. “This year we had excellent vendor participation, exhibit show, and private meetings.”
Warehouse distributors interested in more information, or looking to join TEDA, can contact Glen Pratt at 301-490-9220.
The 2020 TEDA vendor advisory meeting is scheduled for June 8-11, once again at the Turf Valley Resort in Ellicott City.
View more photos from the event here.
