How The Conference Works For the Supplier:

The 24th Annual Partnership Conference will be held April 25 – 29, 2010 beginning with our Welcome Reception & Dinner on Sunday evening, April 25th.

To confirm which Session you are in, see the "Confirmed Session" List under Partnership Conference Details, Supplier Information.

SESSION 1 will be held on Monday, April 26th from 7:15 am to 5:25 pm followed by a short reception and Tuesday, April 27th from 7:40 am to 12:00 pm.  Prior to the beginning of the session on Monday morning, there will be a supplier’s meeting from 7:15 am to 7:45 am.  Monday evening will be open to give you a chance to spend time with specially selected Members or friends.  We encourage you to contact your customers before the Conference to make plans.  Tuesday afternoon has been set-aside for Networking.

Our 24th Annual Awards Celebration will be held on Tuesday evening at 6:30 pm, April 27th.

SESSION 2 will be held on Wednesday, April 28th from 7:30 am to 5:40 pm and Thursday, April 29th from 7:40 am to 12:00 pm.  Prior to the beginning of the session on Wednesday morning, there will be a supplier’s meeting from 7:30 am to 8:00 am.  Wednesday evening we have an especially fun night planned. Enjoy a reception and dinner around La Costa’s lovely Garden Pool.

You are required to participate in either Session 1 or Session 2 and to attend the 24th Annual Awards Celebration held on Tuesday evening.  We encourage you to choose a Tuesday afternoon networking activity to participate in as well.  There are several tremendous activities to choose from.

The Supplier meeting will be held in the exhibit ballroom. You should be sure to have your table completely set up before the meeting.  All Suppliers are expected to attend the Supplier meeting that kicks off their session.

Conference Format:
Each Supplier will have two tables set up in a "T" shape.  The Suppliers will remain at their tables while Members rotate from table to table in designated order.  Each session will be 10 minutes in duration.

At the Conference, ways to build profitable business together will be discussed.  Your visit with each principal will help build the partnership.

Since each Dealer will see each Supplier and vice-versa, it is critical that you prepare ahead of time for meeting with each Dealer and that all parties adhere to the rotation schedule.

·      Review your sales with each Member.

·      Review your Partnership Progress Reports to be sure all issues are resolved prior to coming to the conference.

·      Check with your reps to see if there are any issues, projects, etc., that need to be reviewed with individual Members.

·      Use the time with each Member strategizing ways to grow your business and strengthen your relationship.

Your rotation schedule will be available to you early April and your Partnership Progress Reports will be available early March.

Factory personnel with nationwide responsibility must represent your firm.  We encourage you to have at least two people to work your table.  To establish continuity in your relationship with our Members, you will want to have the same people attend each year.

During the Sessions, Tedde, Jim or the Marketing Team will have a place in the rotation order to visit with each Supplier.

Everyone is welcome to stay for the full time period of the conference enjoying our social functions and visiting our Members.  Your requirement is to display your products during your Tabletop Session.  Each SEFA Member will see you according to the set Rotation Schedule.

If any of your local reps will be joining us for our social functions, please register them for the function they will be attending. 
 Note: We cannot allow local reps to attend our Tabletop Sessions.

Be sure to let us know what activities you plan to attend when you register.  It is very important when we are planning for meals and activities that we have the correct number of people attending.

Dress Code:
Dress code for the conference meetings is business casual.

Dress code for the 24th Annual Awards Celebration is dressy for women;  suit and tie for men.

Dress code for the Wednesday dinner event is resort casual.

All other dress codes can be found on the “Networking” document under each networking activity or on the “Dress Attire” document.

If you have any questions or require additional information call the SEFA office at (224) 848-4060.

See you in California!!