Correction: Yesterday, we incorrectly stated the number of attendees and exhibitors at the Pronto fall shareholder meeting and conference. Total event attendance was 346, including 73 member companies with 112 vendor booths.
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — More than 73 member companies attended National Pronto Association’s fall shareholder meeting and conference held Sept. 14-16 at the Hyatt Regency in Indianapolis. Total attendance for the event was 346.
Highlights from the event included a presentation of awards for outstanding vendors that serve Pronto members. Pronto also recognized the 2010 Executive of the Year. ACDelco received the Supplier of the Year award.
Nancy McLean, director of ACDelco marketing, told aftermarketNews.com. “We’ve made a lot of changes to our business in the last 18 months. I’m so honored that ACDelco is being recognized. We’ve realigned our products and made sure we’ve got the right ones in the right markets.”
Pronto approved ACDelco as a supplier last year during meetings at AAPEX, said Pronto President Bill Maggs. “We’ve had members who’ve have stocked ACDelco for ages. ACDelco is a great supplier with a great brand.”
The Manpower Award, which recognizes excellence in sales forces, went to Federal-Mogul.
Dan DiTommaso of Federal-Mogul, said, “It’s all about our field sales force. They’re out there to tell our premium story. I can’t wait to tell them (the sales force). That award is for them.”
Denso received the OE Supplier of the Year award. Frank Cisek of Denso, said, “We’re very proud to be a Pronto supplier. They’re bare-knuckled streetfighters.”
The Partnership Award went to Standard Motor Products (SMP). SMP’s Bob Kimbro noted, “We’re elated to be recognized. Nothing’s better than to be recognized by channel partners who work together for the good of both.”
The Private Branded Vendor of the Year went to Dash4 for its brake line and the Marketing Excellence Award went to Tenneco.
In addition, Jack Malloy, of APW Knox Seeman Warehouse of Carson, Calif., was recognized as the 2010 Executive of the Year.
“He’s truly a West Coast icon in auto parts,” Maggs said. APW has been a Pronto member since the 1980s. Malloy has been a member of the Pronto board for six years. “He’s a man of passion and integrity,” Maggs said. “He’s a get-it-done guy at 81 years old.”
Other activities during the two-day event included a golf tournament and a chairman’s reception at the Indianapolis Hall of Fame museum. More than 50 vendors also took part in a table top expo.
CLICK HERE to view a photographic slide show from the event.
