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The IPRO Conference of 2011 will be on October 20th - 22nd. Don St Peters, Jr, Conference Chairman, announced that the site will at the Hilton/St Charles in New Orleans.

IPRO invites all represntatives to their 2011 Conference. The demands of our industry require ever increasing knowledge and awareness, and we will support those needs.

Michael Pawlowski shares his knowledge of The Cloud. The cloud offers opportunities to support your business, and Michael provides the information needed for you to use the Cloud effectively.

IPRO Directors address InfoComm audience. Ron DeVoe speaks at length to the Independent Representative Council.

IPRO continues to grow in both representative and manufacturer members. The challenges and opportunities of the marketplace are drawing professional firms to IPRO, for the opportunities available in networking and sales productivity.

Many IPRO representative will attend the CEDIA Management Forum. The professional sales teams plan a much greater attendence, in keeping with their desire for business and marketing events.

InfoComm was a very successful show for Manufacturer's Representatives. While InfoComm has traditionally been considered the professional sound market, many attendees were from what has been viewed as the consumer electronics market.

IPRO gives its' first "Award of Excellence" to Keith Haas. It the twenty-one year history of IPRO the Board of Directors has been reticent to give this award, but unanimously voted to recognize Keith Haas.

IPRO conducts quarterly conference calls to report activities to members. The "Report to the Members" conference call are usually held on the first Monday morning of each quarter.

IPRO Board of Directors announces an affiliate organization, the IPRO Manufacturers Group. The IPRO MG consists of the highest quality manufacturers who serve the audio/video industry.

Manufacturers continue to utilize IPRO as a resource for sales and market information. The Executive Director reports increasing contact from suppliers who need assistance in bringing products to market.

IPRO becomes a sponsor of the Manufacturers' Representatives Educational Research Foundation (MRERF). This is a unique and exclusive educational opportunity for Manufacturers' Representatives to enhance and demonstrate their professionalism.

IPRO has become the preiminent source for professional field sales organizations, a resource for manufacturers. Representative firms who offer products in all areas of audio-video, home theatre, custom installation, and 12 volt have become IPRO members.

Finally, the book that representatives and manufacturers have wanted and needed! "Outsourcing The Sales Function" provides a complete model for assessing any company's sales function, whether direct or outsourced.

IPRO continually improves new Internet site The Association website been completely renovated to reflect the professionalism, goals, and current abilities of our members, and to provide our industry affiliates with the means to remain informed about the activities of our members.

Log in to see the IPRO 2010 Conference Presentations Online Right Here. If you weren't there you can still enjoy the wealth of information in these fabulous presentation online right here.

The IPRO Conference of 2011 will be on October 20th - 22nd. Don St Peters, Jr, Conference Chairman, announced that the site will at the Hilton/St Charles in New Orleans. This will be the 20th annual Conference, an educational and networking event that supports the professionalism and growth of both IPRO representative and manufacturing members. New Orleans was chosen for the 2011 so that attendees could enjoy the musical and cultural assets of the city after an intensive day of workshops, presentations, panel discussions and networking. The agenda will begin with individual meetings on Thursday followed by the keynote address. Don St Peters, Conference Chairman, has stated that "This is the best thing that our members do to improve their company all year". IPRO does not require that a representative be a current IPRO member to attend the Conference, as the believe the increased knowledge and professionalism is a benefit to the entire industry. ETS will again provide support for hotel and transportation arrangements, and they can be reached through their website at www.etsintl.com

IPRO invites all represntatives to their 2011 Conference. The demands of our industry require ever increasing knowledge and awareness, and we will support those needs. The professional field sales force must focus on modern means to support their customers, and their increased abilities are a benefit to the entire industry. It is an opportunity to share experiences and network with peers who share the same challenges, and develop strategies that support future successes. Infiormation and registration information is available by contacting the Directors at ray@avreps.org or ron@avreps.org.

Michael Pawlowski shares his knowledge of The Cloud. The cloud offers opportunities to support your business, and Michael provides the information needed for you to use the Cloud effectively. The article is in the members only portion of the website.

IPRO Directors address InfoComm audience. Ron DeVoe speaks at length to the Independent Representative Council. Invited by Steve Garber and Molly Thompson, the IPRO Directors spoke about the important role of the representative and the constant demands for increased efficiency and effectiveness. Ray Wright stressed the needs that exist, and stated that inspite of the increased costs every representative "must show up and participate in every important show ". He underlined the advantage that the representative has in knowlege of his market and customer, and the importance of networking to support future successes. Ron DeVoe noted that while representative firms are independent firms , the relationship of manufacturer-representative-customer is very "inter-dependent". His knowledge of the commercial industry was evident as he discussed the importance of being focused on and constantly improving customer service. The Council hosted an extremely helpful discussion, making the meeting a resounding success.

IPRO continues to grow in both representative and manufacturer members. The challenges and opportunities of the marketplace are drawing professional firms to IPRO, for the opportunities available in networking and sales productivity. Ray Wright and Ron DeVoe, IPRO Directors, report a marked increase in membership from representatives from both the residential and commercial markets. "People are looking for ways to be more efficient and effective in a rapidly changing market", they stated, "and IPRO provides a conduit to market knowledge and higher sales". IPRO has enjoyed the benefits of collaborating with the IPRO Manufacturers Group (IPRO-MG), a group of premium manufacturers who are chaired by David Keller and Jeff Zemanek. "We are combining the unique assets of each role, so that both can do more business". Inquiries can be made to the IPRO offices at 800-420-4268.

Many IPRO representative will attend the CEDIA Management Forum. The professional sales teams plan a much greater attendence, in keeping with their desire for business and marketing events. The quality and benefits of the Management Forum have been experience by representatives in past years, and some stated they "would never miss another". The event will be held in Sab Diego, CA, and full details are available at the CEDIA website, www.cedia.org. These days are viewed by IPRO members as a great opportunity to learn new technology, business trends, and for networking.

InfoComm was a very successful show for Manufacturer's Representatives. While InfoComm has traditionally been considered the professional sound market, many attendees were from what has been viewed as the consumer electronics market. New technoligies have often been introduced first at InfoComm, and often attendees were there to learn of these technologies prior to their appearance in consumer products. The continuing merging of products and marketing efforts have produced new challenges and opportunities for representatives and manufacturers. IPRO has recognized this trend and actively promotes and invites professional sound representatives to participate in the education and professional advancement opportunities that are offered by the Association. More information is availble by calling 800-420-4268, or by email to ray@avreps.org

IPRO gives its' first "Award of Excellence" to Keith Haas. It the twenty-one year history of IPRO the Board of Directors has been reticent to give this award, but unanimously voted to recognize Keith Haas. The Award of Excellence recognizes more than participation and industry support. It recognizes the professionalism and integrity of the individual, and is a statement of the respect that the members of the association has for his performance and consistant professionalism. Keith Haas is currently Chairman of the IPRO Manufacturers Group, an active leader in the audio/video industry, and Director of Sales at Onkyo/Integra. The award was presented to Mr Haas in Scottsdale, during the annual IPRO Educational Conference. We thank Mr Haas for all that he contributes to our industry.

IPRO conducts quarterly conference calls to report activities to members. The "Report to the Members" conference call are usually held on the first Monday morning of each quarter. IPRO has well over one hundred professional field dales organizations in its membership. and faces the challenge of keeping everyone informed. It was decided in 2007 to begin quarterly conference calls that would be held at 9:00 am in each of the time zones, so that it would be convenient for the greatest portion of their members. The calls have included guest appearances from Utz Baldwin, CEO of CEDIA, who contributed valuable information to our members.

IPRO Board of Directors announces an affiliate organization, the IPRO Manufacturers Group. The IPRO MG consists of the highest quality manufacturers who serve the audio/video industry. The objectives of the IPRO MG are: 1)To provide opportunity for the exchange of information through discussion, study and publications, designed to promote interaction between manufacturers and representatives, and 2) To promote and improve the joint effectiveness and efficiency of the manufacturer and his or her representative in the market. Barry Evans, IPRO President, stated that "We have invited manufacturers to our Conference for many years and their unique perspective and insight has been invaluable." "This is a entirely different conversation" states David Thomas, IPRO Vice President. "When the key manufacturers and representatives seek answers to common challenges there is a path created to better relationships and higher sales". Manufactuers who wish to apply for membership in the IPRO MG should contact the IPRO Executive Director at 800-420-4268 or email to ray@avreps.org

Manufacturers continue to utilize IPRO as a resource for sales and market information. The Executive Director reports increasing contact from suppliers who need assistance in bringing products to market. Questions address every aspect of our business, and the total membership of more than eighty representative firms have been responsive in providing assistance. The CEDIA EXPO in Denver will provide more opportunity for discussion and interaction, beginning with the representative/manufacturer reception on Thursday evening. Over four hundred people are expected to attend.

IPRO becomes a sponsor of the Manufacturers' Representatives Educational Research Foundation (MRERF). This is a unique and exclusive educational opportunity for Manufacturers' Representatives to enhance and demonstrate their professionalism. MRERF offers a time-tested three year curriculum, held with Arizona State University, which allows a representative principal to acheive the certification of Certified Professional Manufacturers' Representative (CPMR). Some IPRO members have successfully completed this course of study. Also available is a program for the representative salesperson called Certified Sales Professional (CSP), a course which is held at various cities throuhout the country.

IPRO has become the preiminent source for professional field sales organizations, a resource for manufacturers. Representative firms who offer products in all areas of audio-video, home theatre, custom installation, and 12 volt have become IPRO members. They have chosen to communicate the function and performance standards of our member firms to the consumer electronics industry. IPRO has published a brochure called "Outsourcing Field Sales" specifically to be a resource to manufacturers. The newer members are seasoned professionals in the industry, with many years of experience in multiple facets of our business. A complete list of professional field sales organizations, listed by sales territory, is available by clicking the "Members" portion of this website.

Finally, the book that representatives and manufacturers have wanted and needed! "Outsourcing The Sales Function" provides a complete model for assessing any company's sales function, whether direct or outsourced. Authors Erin Anderson and Bob Trinkle combine their fifty years of experience and research on field sales to produce the first definitive, rational and practical analysis of utilizing manufacturers representatives. They also deliver the tools (including the Cost Calculator on an accompanying CD-ROM) to measure the benefits and true costs of going to market through representatives versus a direct sales force. The result is a powerful resource to help both representatives and manufacturers answer questions about the value and effectiveness of going tp market through representatives...no matter who's asking! You may order through ERA by clicking here, then click on the book cover icon, and you will also find it on www.Amazon.com

IPRO continually improves new Internet site The Association website been completely renovated to reflect the professionalism, goals, and current abilities of our members, and to provide our industry affiliates with the means to remain informed about the activities of our members. IPRO chose Web Services US, LLC for this project since they know the industry, provide a professional, fast and easy to use site, an updating system that office staff can use with no programmers, and back it with a comprehensive email, emarketing and support package. Web Services offers affordable and comprehensive packages to IPRO members and affiliates. Find out more about how you can benefit here.