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Nationwide Marketing Group Exceeds Expectations for PrimeTime

The Autism Speaks panelists at the Nationwide Marketing Group PrimeTime Expo in Phoenix.
The 'Autism Speaks' panelists: from left, Michael Whitaker (NMG), Scott Warlick (Tempur+Sealy International), Jonathan Elster (NextLevel Distribution), and Lee McDonald (NMG).

Last week’s Nationwide Marketing Group PrimeTime 2022 event was full of information and services for its members. The show floor was packed with manufacturing partners and, in spite of the pandemic, was well attended.

The Evolving Shopper Journey

Nationwide Marketing Group (NMG) offered several educational sessions during PrimeTime to help its members compete. The Shoppers Journey session was led by the Nationwide VP of Technology Jennifer Danko Chief Digital and Technology Officer Aaron Bundschuh, VP of Marketing Rob White, and COO of Retail Web Services Jodie Pierce. The group took the members through the stages of a shopper’s journey of purchasing, with a focus on more than just the product. Among the messages: Independent retailers have the unique opportunity to sell the experience of the purchase along with the product. Members were shown, via data, how shoppers value the experience of purchasing a product more than convenience, price, and brand. When shoppers can buy virtually anywhere and have availability of product knowledge at their fingertips, their number one factor for choosing where they purchase and whether they will choose to return to purchase again is customer service. This was a key focus for the entire event, which covered everything from appliances and luxury retail to audio-video and outdoor living spaces.

Altruism at Primetime 2022

No Child Hungry at Nationwide Marketing Group PrimeTime Expo in Phoenix
No Child Hungry volunteers

The team at Nationwide Marketing Group has a soft spot for kids in need and found several ways throughout the show to raise money for several causes. No Child Hungry is a favorite for Nationwide and its members. Money for the charity was raised during an auction at the Welcome Reception on Saturday. The auction consisted of members (and staff!) bidding on getting to dunk members of the NMG staff in the dunk tank set up outside. No one was safe and the auction raised more than $10,000 for the charity. In addition to participating in the auction, members and Nationwide staff worked together to pack meals for children in need.

At the Center Stage Autism Speaks panel on the final day of PrimeTime, a partnership between NMG, Tempur+Sealy International and Next Level Distribution was announced. The three organizations will work together to raise money for Autism Speaks over the next year. “One out of every four children has autism,” Jonathan Elstner, CEO of Next Level Distribution explained. In addition to raising funds for Autism Speaks year-round, Next Level Distribution also actively seeks to hire autistic employees in positions that are comfortable for them. “The Tempur+Sealy Foundation has been active in charitable giving for years,” said VP of Buying Groups for Tempur+Sealy Scott Warlick. “We are excited to be a part of this new initiative.”

Nationwide PrimeTime wrapped up last week, but the CE, furniture, and appliance buying group is already in preparation for PrimeTime Orlando, which takes place August 13th – 16th, 2022.