ABS national sales meeting gets underway.

ABS holds first ever national sales meeting

More than three dozen sales representatives, division managers and corporate officers met February 21-24 in Ontario, California, as American Bolt & Screw held its first ever national sales meeting.
  The theme of the meeting was “Another Big Success.” The company explored how ABS can become an even more effective partner with manufacturing customers.
  Dave Wallner, ABS general manager, says, “Because of the strong infrastructure we’ve built—offering excellent quality, excellent customer service, and excellent personnel—our sales representatives are in effect product consultants.
   “We see ourselves as partners in helping manufacturers realize greater efficiency and productivity.”

	Hall of fame speaker Mike Frank gets his point across.

Meeting features many speakers and topics

Mike Frank, a member of the National Speakers Hall of Fame, traveled from Columbus, Ohio and kicked off the meeting. His 90-minute presentation emphasized salesmanship skills and the importance of maintaining a positive attitude.
   Jim Hooper, ABS president, welcomed the attendees, reminding them, “ABS does not wish to be the lowest-priced supplier, but we will always strive to offer the best products, the best service and the best ideas.”
   Dave Wallner, ABS general manager, reviewed the highlights of 2005, which was the most profitable year in ABS history. He also presented the company’s optimistic outlook for 2006.

Reinforcing positive messages

Various other speakers, some representing ABS customers, drove home the importance of providing exceptional service while delivering exceptional quality.
   Warren Greshes, one of the nation’s premier business and motivational speakers,appeard on DVD. He said, “You never want to offer the cheapest solutions, because that’s the easy way out—and it makes you highly replaceable by the competition.”
   Dr. Johnny Miller, delivered the keynote address to conclude the meeting, following dinner at the New York Grill. His address was frequently punctuated with the following admonition: “It’s not what you have, it’s what you do with what you have.”

	Dave Wallner, ABS general manager, as Wallnac the Magnificent.

Fun and learning go hand in hand

Meeting segments were designed to inform, motivate and entertain. A unique team-building exercise sent seven four-person teams on a wild scavenger hunt through the streets of Ontario. Teams were challenged to decipher clues and outwit other teams to arrive first at a secret destination.
   The following day, Wallner donned a cape and turban, assuming the identity of Wallnac the Magnificent, reprising the popular Johnny Carson “Carnac” role. On the final day of the meeting, an obscure media personality, Jonny Vega, emceed a questionably original game show entitled, “Who Wants to be a Hundred-Aire?”

ABS represented from coast to coast

ABS representatives enjoyed ample time to discuss business—at group breakfasts, lunches and dinners, as well as during frequent breaks throughout the meetings and in the ABS hospitality suite during the early evening. The meeting attendees flew in from all across the country from ABS locations in Oregon, Indiana, Arizona, Texas, Georgia and Northern California.