On June 26-27, 2015, Integrated Supply Network (ISN) hosted 3,500 attendees at Tool Dealer Expo 2015 in Orlando, Fla. at the Gaylord Palms Resort. This event is one of the industry’s largest tool and equipment tradeshows, bringing together key suppliers and distributors.
As one of the largest industry events, ISN focuses on providing the best experience possible for attendees. ISN partners with exhibiting vendors to provide the chance to win exciting prizes, like a brand-new Chevy Camaro and $20,000 cash to providing complimentary spa services including massage, hair, nails and make-up. There is complimentary transportation to and from the airport and ISN chooses lavish hotels, like the Gaylord Palms, for attendees to bring their families and make it a vacation if they choose.
Along with great prizes and location, ISN also partners with suppliers to provide top-notch training, great live show floor demos and the introduction of many new products. Tool Dealer Expo offered training sessions from Launch, Ingersoll Rand, Bartec, OTC, Autel, Milwaukee, Sunex and many more participating vendors. ISN also hosted training sessions on the new ToolWeb.com and MobileDealer.com websites. A sneak peek at the new full line catalog, Tool Book, was also shared with all attendees, and the response was overwhelmingly positive.
ISN is such a large industry event that new products are launched at Tool Dealer Expo and seen by customers for the very first time. Some of those items included:
- Shop-Vac Portable Air Blowers (No. SHV1032000)
- Shinn Fu 25 Ton Blackhawk Platinum Truck Axle Jack No. BHKBP225)
- Tech-Life's “The Grid” docking station with power strip, USB and Surge Protector (No. ANCTLG1)
- General Technician Equipment (GTE) Masterbead adhesive dispensing gun (No. ANCGTEMB1)
- Monster 12pc Spline T-Handle Extended Universal Socket Set (No. MST9112)
- Hickok Waekon Auto Wave (No. WAE75000)
- JPW Industries BASH Special Edition 6-1/2" Vise includes a Free BASH 4-lb. 12" Hammer (No. WIL11128BH)
- Monster Cart/Locker Combo (No. MST7235CL)
This year, over $1.2 million in cash was awarded throughout the show, and attendees also were entered for a chance to win over $300,000 in prizes.
Prizes included a 2015 Chevy Colorado, 2015 Chevy Camaro, and $20,000 cash from ISN, $35,000 in cash given away by Ingersoll Rand, $10,000 from Lincoln, a pair of 2015 Kawasaki ATV’s from Sunex Tools, a 2015 Jeep Wrangler Sport from Irwin, a 1928 Dodge Brothers Roadster from SteelmanPro, a 2015 Polaris Ranger from Wilton Jet, a 72” Roller Cabinet from Extreme Tools, a 2015 Can-Am Outlander ATV from Makita and a trip to Australia from RedBack Boots.
ISN's vendor, winning the “Most Spirit” and “Best in Show” awards, Ingersoll Rand, brought in a DJ to keep the crowd pumped all day long, along with autograph signing by Richard Rawlings, owner of Gas Monkey Garage and star of Fast N Loud, unveiling the IR VW “tool van” detailed by Gas Monkey Garage, a playground for the kids and free snacks and drinks for all. (The VW “tool van” was inspired by the original “Tool Van” that the Hurd family would drive to the first NASCAR stock car races. The Hurd family has been selling and servicing tools during the races for many years. Today, they have a large hauler at all NASCAR races so they can keep the team’s IR tools operating at the optimal performance.)
There was much more excitement across the show floor from money booths to pool tables and more games at the Milwaukee booth and celebrity appearances.
Distributors utilize this time to network with other distributors and meet one-on-one with key suppliers and their sales associates at ISN.
The show concluded with a Saturday night Farewell Awards Dinner hosted by comedian John Heffron. Prizes were awarded throughout the night for: Best in Show, Most Spirit, Best New Vendor and Best New Product, voted on by attendees and Sales Awards based on performance. Later, the larger cash prizes were awarded.
ISN is already busy planning for more success with the 2016 event. If you are a tool distributor, not yet attending Tool Dealer Expo, we invite you to contact your sales representative at ISN to learn more and start planning for 2016 Tool Dealer Expo. It will be hosted once again at the Gaylord Palms in Orlando, Fla. on June 24 -25, 2016.
For more information and photos on this year’s Tool Dealer Expo visit: http://tooldealerexpo.blogspot.com/
