HES Holds Brand Source Summit

A brief survey of specialty dealers and custom integrators populating the food and drink stations at the welcome reception for Brand Source’s 2008 Summit and Buying Fair, being held through March 19 at Dallas’ Hilton Anatole Hotel, revealed a hopeful business attitude despite the effects of an economy in the doldrums.

Speaking for Brand Source’s Home Entertainment Source (HES) membership, Jim Ristow, HES executive vice president, says that if pre-registration for the event is any indication, this year’s show will be the largest ever. “HES member attendance is up 75 percent over 2007, and floor space square footage is up 40 percent,” he said. “We know that business will be a challenge this year,” he added, “but we’re smarter and more nimble as a group and we should be able to survive.”

Members will be greeted on Day One by the new HES president, Stuart Schuster of Fort Worth, Texas’ Marvin Electronics. Schuster says he expects attendees to receive the group’s revamped portfolio of educational courses with open arms. “If this year’s seminars don’t go to the next level, we didn’t do our jobs. Last year, many courses were just Business 101,” he said. “This year, they’re more 201 and 301, and cover management, custom installation, IT, content storage, financing, and instruction on how to sell higher-end products.”