Last week, NetPlus Alliance held its first annual meeting, an event that was born as a direct result of the buying group’s 2012 Advisory Council meetings. The event, a mix of one-on-one meetings between distributors and suppliers, networking events, and breakout sessions, saw 128 distributor attendees (from 72 companies) and 182 supplier attendees (from 102 companies, including service suppliers).
"Our first Annual Meeting was above and beyond my expectations,” says Jennifer Murphy, NetPlus Alliance President. “From the opening party, to the buzz on the show floor and the festive St. Patrick's Day party, everywhere you went, the vibe was energetic and positive. I was humbled by the turnout, and also by the genuine expression of gratitude that I received from our members for the opportunities that this event will bring to their business. Ross Post, the President of Fastool, Inc., and the NetPlus 2013 Distributor MVP, matched my own sentiment when he told me that he was looking forward to the many new long-standing relationships that would develop as a result of our event. I think we hit the mark with our theme of ‘Grow Together’ and look forward to many more successful years to come."
This year’s event featured speaking sessions for both suppliers and distributors, with noted industry experts Bart Schwartz (Industrial Channel Research) and Rick Wallace (Next Level Coaching) taking the stage during the networking breakfasts. Murphy offered her perspective on the year during a lunchtime presentation, where she stressed the organization’s goals – to build its members’ profitability. “But we can only do our part,” Murphy said in her address. “The rest is up to you – which is why we brought you here.”
Murphy, who has been with NetPlus since 2006, was appointed president in September. She is the fifth generation to guide the company, following in the footsteps of family members that included her father, great-great uncles and grandfather. Murphy’s father Dan Judge had served as President since 2002, when the most recent chapter of the company’s rich, nearly 130-year history advanced along its current path as NetPlus Alliance.
“I work in an industry that is honest, hardworking, and historic,” Murphy said as she concluded her President’s Address last week, “and I am proud to be a part of it.”
Founded in 2002, NetPlus Alliance brings industrial and contractor supplies distributors of all sizes together to improve net profit, share best practices and open doors to new opportunities. NetPlus Alliance leverages the group power and volume from many distributors to negotiate rebate programs with a broad selection of industrial and contractor supplies manufacturers and wholesalers. Categories include abrasives, adhesives, anchors, casters, chemicals, cutting tools, fasteners, hand tools, hoists, hoses, janitorial supplies, ladders, machine tools, material handling, paints, power tools, safety, saw blades, tape and film products, vending and welding equipment. Through its strong marketing programs, NetPlus Alliance works to steer distributor purchases to its actively growing list of product suppliers, which currently includes over 125 manufacturers and wholesalers. For additional information contact Zach Brado at (716) 438-2014 or visit www.NetPlusAlliance.com.
