Nemo Office Club Marketing Manager Alan Calder, shares five takeaways from the group’s recent dealer conference, held on 11 June at Hellidon Lakes in Daventry.
1. Suppliers want to help you sell
The role of suppliers is changing. Walking around the exhibition, the focus was not simply on products and price lists; it was on helping dealers to identify opportunities, expand into new categories and win more business. Whether through training, marketing support, commercial incentives, joint customer visits or product expertise, suppliers are investing significant resources to support dealers’ growth.
2. VOW Wholesale is aware of the challenges
During his presentation, VOW Wholesale Managing Director Adrian Butler addressed members’ concerns head-on around competition, pricing disparities and communication breakdowns. It was good for both parties to have the opportunity to speak honestly and share their challenges. Although answers aren’t always easy to find, there is a shared desire on both sides to overcome concerns.
3. Product sourcing has changed
One of the biggest misconceptions following the demise of Spicers and Exertis Supplies is that dealer choice has reduced. In reality, the opposite is true. Alongside VOW, suppliers such as CTS Wholesale, JGBM and LSM Wholesale are creating new multi-brand buying options without the complexity of managing countless direct supplier accounts. Meanwhile, direct sourcing options offer broader product ranges, stronger margins and ever-lower minimum order quantities.
Specialist suppliers are also strengthening their offering, including WBT Wholesale (PPE and workwear), Red Parrot (hygiene and janitorial) and CPD Direct (catering), all of which exhibited at the event. Alongside them were new service providers such as Quartix (vehicle tracking) and ST Tech (AV and workspace tech).
4. Face-to-face networking still delivers
Teams and Zoom have driven huge changes to workplace efficiency, but New Horizons reinforced an important truth: relationships still matter. Research consistently shows that face-to-face interaction remains essential for building trust, rapport and long-term loyalty in professional relationships. New Horizons provided exactly that opportunity.
And never underestimate the value of the conversations that happened in the hallways, over coffee, at lunch and during the evening. They were every bit as valuable as the formal sessions and often the most rewarding – a shared challenge or a lightbulb moment that suddenly seemed so obvious.
5. Together we are stronger
It has long been Nemo Office Club’s tagline, but the conference showed just how relevant it remains: together we really are stronger. Equally, when we all share experiences, raise concerns and speak collectively, those conversations carry far greater weight.
