CE Pro October 2022 - 78

Channel
TIPS | EDUCATION & EVENTS | DISTRIBUTION
DOW Serves Up
Treats for Elite
Dealer Retreat
Distributor DOW Technologies' event
returned in August, offering unique
sessions, tradeshow, fun activities for
300+ attendees and 42 vendors in Lake
Oconee, Ga. By CE Pro Editors
DOW TECHNOLOGIES,
a leading independently
owned technology distributor
serving the custom
integration industry, hosted
its third DOW Elite Dealer
Retreat August 1-2 at the
Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake
Oconee, Ga. The Tampa,
Fla.-based distributor
brought in over 300 customer
attendees representing
148 companies to attend
the two-day event, which
provided a packed schedule
mixing business and pleasure
at the Georgia locale.
The DOW Elite Dealer Retreat
aims to brings together
manufacturers and dealers in
a relaxed environment that
includes training, product
demonstrations, a tradeshow
and plenty of summertime
fun.
On Monday, dealers were
welcomed by DOW's director
of sales, Drew Fischer,
who highlighted that many
of DOW's employees come
from a small-to-medium
business (SMB) background.
78 | CE Pro October 2022
Support of SMBs by the distributor
and the participating
manufacturers was a theme
that flowed throughout the
event, according to DOW.
After the opening ceremony,
dealers attended
five unique sessions with
different manufacturers
that offered training and
an opportunity to provide
feedback. The evening was
capped off with a cocktail
hour that featured laser
skeet shooting and then a
networking dinner.
Day 2 began with integrators
attending two business
improvement sessions that
were designed to highlight
opportunities for company
owners and principals to
expand their offerings and
add revenue.
Dealers moved on to a
robust a tradeshow featuring
42 manufacturers and vendors
that covered the wide
range of business segments
that DOW supports.
After the tradeshow time,
dealers and manufacturers
The retreat ended with an industry panel as DOW's Drew
Fischer (far left) moderated a discussion with participants
(left to right) John Yodzis, DOW Technologies president
& CEO; Rick Kojan, Sony; Jim Mayo, Samsung; and Giles
Sutton, CEDIA.
had a chance to network
in a fun, casual atmosphere
and take advantage of Lake
Oconee. DOW offered the
opportunity for attendees to
ride jet skis, try wake boarding,
take a relaxing ride on
a pontoon, swim in the lake
or check out a car show that
featured demo cars from Alpine,
Sony, Metra, Arc Audio,
Triton, Illusion and Rockford
Fosgate.
Tuesday evening featured
a panel of industry leaders
speaking about what they
see for the future of their
industries, how independent
SMBs should be preparing
now, and what opportunities
those businesses should
be taking advantage of, the
distributor notes. Moderated
by Fischer, panelists for the
discussion included Rick
Kojan, Sony, head of sales -
aftermarket car audio; Jim
Mayo, Samsung, executive
director - sales customer
install/indirect sales; Giles
Sutton, CEDIA, senior vice
president - member success
& sales; and John Yodzis,
DOW Technologies, president
& CEO.
" I am particularly grateful
for allowing Samsung to
play such a prominent role
in the event, with individual
opportunities to address
each CI Dealer attendee. The
breakout events, the ability
to socialize with such a large
group of dealers during
the evening activities and
opportunity I had to address
the entire assembly was
terrific, " enthused Mayo. " I
am so glad DOW is back to
this important event which
brings together the best
dealers in the business
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CE Pro October 2022

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