Wednesday, August 15, 2007

OutdoorUtahToday


Just returned from Outdoor Retailer trade show in Salt Lake City. As those in the industry know, this is THE rendezvous for those involved in outdoor sports. If you were at the show and hit the main hallway you would have found me at the Rome booth showing off all that's new & exciting for our 2008 selling season*

Some highlights of the show -
Getting the chance to catch up with our dealers some of whom we've been working with for 30+ years.

Having our Canadian Distributor on hand during the key days of the show. BTW - big news on Canada coming soon.

Being interviewed on Outdoor Utah Today by former cast iron cooking champion Kent Mayberry. The show is broadcast on the 50,000 watt powerhouse AM 700 The Zone in Salt Lake City.

Having a hotel with an indy coffee shop literally next door which allowed me to swagger past the 50 person deep crowds at the show espresso bar - Americano in hand.

After 16 years in the biz, I finally figured out the secret to driving traffic into the booth. DOGS! My neighbors, Rum Reggae had their two black labs "work" the show and it was amazing to watch the number of buyers/reps/exhibitors who stopped to pet them. Lance Armstrong couldn't draw more attention.

Found some choice rare books on my annual SLC trek to Sam Weller's used bookstore.

Lara bar samples. Chocolate Mole - me gusta.

The road show continues for us in the next couple of weeks. Ken Porten of Voyageur Sales will be representing our products at the Midwest Outdoor Rep Show in Madison, WI (August 21st - 23rd) and Lisa Mansback of Mansback Assoc will be showing our products at the East Coast Outdoor Rep show (August 20th - 22nd.) As for myself I'll be attending the Fall NBS show in early September down in Ft Worth as well as the TrueValue trade show in late October.

*Wait a minute. You say that you're an existing customer and you don't have the new catalog yet? You should receive it in the next few weeks along with our early order program. If you're not a current customer and would like to receive the info, drop me a line and I'll have it sent pronto.

Wednesday, August 1, 2007

Rome rep group Total Marketing achieves major milestone

While I get out on the road to the tune of a dozen trade shows a year, meet with dealers and yak on the phone I'm certainly not the only face of Rome Industries. If you're a customer of ours you most likely work with one of our regional independent sales reps.

We have a nearly nationwide network of reps who do a phenomenal job of bringing Rome to you. If you'd like have a local Rome rep call on you, please take a look at our rep guide (garden) (cookware).

Speaking of reps, July of this year was a particular milestone for our rep, Total Marketing Associates as they celebrated 30 years in business! Garden centers and hardware stores in the midwest should be quite familiar with Fred Cimaglio and the talented staff of sales & marketing professionals that he has nurture since 1977. Big or small if your store is in Total Marketing's territory you'll be treated with real personal attention, respect & an enthusiasm to help your business grow. Their mantra is "To do the Best, With the Best, For the Best!" and I have to say that from our 10 years of experience with Team Total they hold to that mission.

I hope you'll join us in congratulating Total Marketing with this great achievement.

The best is yet to be


Our #2308 Grow Old With Me Sundial made an appearance in the Better Homes & Gardens special interest publication entitled Simply Perfect Garden Structures. I'm a big fan of these annual publications as they're jammed packed with great how to articles and backed by beautiful, inspiring gardenscape photography.