Taking place on 27 June at Belton Woods in Grantham, the Superstat Summer Showcase proved to be a lively and inspiring event this year. Sponsored by Exertis Supplies and supported by Prima Software, CTS Wholesale, Reckitt Pro Solutions and Antalis, the conference was packed with networking opportunities, insightful talks and celebrations of excellence.
The event featured captivating speeches, headlined by Jamie Morton of SAS: Who Dares Wins fame. Morton enthralled the audience with stories from his career in the SAS, his experiences on the TV show and his current role as an 8,000 m+ mountain guide. His talk intertwined anecdotes with lessons on competitiveness, determination and goal achievement, which resonated deeply with the business-minded attendees.
New opportunities
Exertis Supplies Managing Director Andrew Beaumont provided a comprehensive company update. He emphasised the potential of the company’s new warehousing space, the addition of 3,000 product
lines over the past year and the introduction of a revamped marketing portal offering extensive free digital collateral to dealers.
The open forum was a highlight, featuring a panel of suppliers from key categories: workwear (Beeswift), furniture (Dams Furniture), packaging (Antalis), catering and cleaning (Reckitt Pro Solutions), ergonomics (Fellowes Brands), and wellbeing (Eat Fruit).
All shared valuable selling tips, target demographics and essential information to help members capitalise on new opportunities. The interactive session saw attendees sharing their own experiences, making for an informative and collaborative hour.
During the supplier exhibition, dealers navigated the stands of 34 exhibitors representing a diverse range of categories, including workwear, warehousing, IT, safety, technology and software and office supplies. Among the new suppliers making their debut were Eat Fruit, Flashy Cactus, Apogee and Buronomic, each bringing fresh offerings to the table.
Building connections
The night before the one-day conference set the tone for a relaxed and informal backdrop for networking and social activities, which included a welcome summer BBQ and 1990s culture quiz. Following the conference and exhibition, a drinks reception and awards dinner featured a band playing 90s club classics, rounding off the event with a touch of nostalgia and celebration.
James McKeever, Group Sales Director of Sovereign Business Solutions Group summed up the sentiment of many attendees: “The 2024 sales conference was the best one yet – the atmosphere and mixture of forward-thinking, like-minded businesses really added to a fantastic location and extremely professionally organised event.”
Superstat Awards 2024
Dealer award winners
- Marketing Excellence: Rainbow Office Supplies
- Salesperson of the Year: Natasha Reid and Lucy Jackson from Office Evolution
- Dealer Excellence (£4 million+): Warrens Office Supplies
- Dealer Excellence (£2.5-£4 million): Blakes Workplace Solutions
- Dealer Excellence (Up to £2.5 million): OS Workplace
- The Tim Holmes Memorial Cup for the Biggest Exertis Growth: Blakes Workplace Solutions
Supplier award winners
- Distributor of the Year: Exertis Supplies
- Brand of the Year: Fellowes Brands
- Exhibitor Stand of the Year: Nestlé
