Last week, I had the privilege of traveling from Manchester to Denver for the Independent Suppliers Group annual event, Industry Week. This was my 4th Industry Week, and for me, this was the best one yet! The atmosphere and engagement from everyone in the Office Products community were exceptional.
Sharing ideas and collectively working together demonstrated how unique and wonderful this industry is and the people within it.
Arriving just in time for the City of Hope fundraiser event, being greeted with smiles and embraces from friends was a great way to start and set the tone for my entire time in Colorado!
Wednesday started with a strong sense of passion, energy, and enthusiasm. Encapsulated perfectly by Ashlee Hunt and James Rodgers’ presentations, sharing their experiences, understanding, and foresight. Followed by very insightful interviews by Steve Hilleard with the dealer community, tackling the biggest issues the community faces and sharing success stories. All questions were carefully posed for the audience to understand they are not alone in the current challenges and to offer guidance on how to move beyond.
The North American Office Products Awards (NAOPA) delivered wonderful excitement and a series of worthy winners. Congratulations to all of the nominees and winners; it was a great honor to be among such a strong shortlist. A special congratulations to my colleague, Tyler Dees, for his nomination for Young Executive of the Year. You absolutely deserved to be on the shortlist for all of the tremendous work you consistently deliver for our clients. I know this message was backed up by so many customer testimonials for your hard work, endeavor, and commitment to helping them grow.
The remainder of the day was then spent in a series of prospect and client meetings. I love talking about everything Office Products, technology, and Prima—listening, understanding, and delivering solutions that match and go beyond the objective. Working with the IDC to solve the challenges they face daily is what I and the rest of the Prima Software team strive to achieve in every interaction.
Afterward, everyone enjoyed the opportunity to relax and enjoy the entertainment in the amazing surroundings of the hotel. What an incredible venue and beautiful backdrop of the Rockies.
Thursday’s exhibition was such a buzz; the day passed by in what felt like minutes! A great and unique opportunity to meet so many new companies and people. The team and I were in constant conversation, discussing the changing needs and demands of the IDCs (Independent Dealer Channel) and their requirements for software and systems. It is more evident than ever that the independent dealer needs reassurance that their tech stack is built for today, that it can deliver efficiencies, and that it can adapt to an ever-changing landscape. It was a privilege to share our development roadmap and long-term objectives—and what exciting, innovative solutions are heading for our clients.
The day was rounded off in style with a wonderfully themed party to celebrate the Office Products industry and the IDC.
If anyone hasn’t been to the event before and is asking themselves, “Is it worth it?” my answer is “YES, ABSOLUTELY.” The event brings together some of the most passionate and forward-thinking professionals in our industry, and it was clear that everyone was there not just to showcase products and solutions but to build meaningful partnerships and share ideas that will shape the future of our sector.
The event was a tremendous success, a true testament to the dedication, organization, and vision of the ISG team. Every detail, from the sessions to the networking events, reflected their commitment to creating value for the entire dealer community. A huge thank you to everyone at ISG for making it happen and for cultivating such a strong spirit of engagement and collaboration. It was inspiring to see the dealer community come together in such a positive way.
As I returned to the UK, I was treated to an unexpected and unforgettable experience, watching the Northern Lights dance across the sky for a couple of hours as we flew over Canada and Greenland. It was the perfect way to reflect on an amazing week and to top off what truly felt like a special trip.
I am already looking forward to my fifth Industry Week in San Diego next November.
If you’re a U.S. office products dealer exploring a more innovative, great value-for-money system, I’d love to connect and chat about how we can help. Feel free to reach out to me on LinkedIn.
US: (404) 806 4245
prima-smartcloud@ecisolutions.com
