CRYSTAL LAKE, Ill. – The 2013 VIPAR Heavy Duty Annual Business Conference will be held under the theme “Success through Collaboration," Oct. 20-25 at the Marco Island (Fla.) Marriott. Each year, the Annual Business Conference brings together VIPAR Heavy Duty distributors, supplier partners and industry associates to exchange ideas and share information. 
The event will be highlighted by a keynote address by Joe Theismann, an entrepreneur and former star quarterback for the Washington Redskins. Theismann spent many years working for ESPN on its NFL broadcast and now works for the NFL Network on a show called “Playbook.” He is a sought-after motivational speaker and also oversees a popular Washington, D.C., restaurant called “Joe Theismann’s."
A record number of distributors, suppliers, service partners and industry associates have pre-registered to attend this year’s conference, according to VIPAR.
“We strongly believe that one of the key factors to the success of VIPAR Heavy Duty is the strong collaboration that takes place between our stockholders, supplier partners and our corporate organization,” said VIPAR Heavy Duty President Steve Crowley. “With a record turnout expected, this year’s conference will give us the opportunity to celebrate and further strengthen these relationships.”
The 2013 VIPAR Heavy Duty Annual Business Conference will include a general session, trade show, one-on-one stockholder/supplier partner meetings, the annual stockholder meeting, as well as networking events. Additionally, the conference will feature several value-added sessions including: the effects of the Affordable Care Act and how small businesses can navigate the intricacies, succession planning, trends in fleet purchasing, effective store merchandising and power branding.
A new feature of this year’s conference will be the Young Leaders Forum luncheon, giving emerging leaders the opportunity to network with each other. The young leaders also will hear from John Passante, a well-known industry speaker and leader. Passante will provide a keynote presentation on “What’s Your Leadership Style?”
For more information on the 2013 VIPAR Heavy Duty Annual Business Conference, visit www.vipar.com or email [email protected].
