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LAS VEGAS — The Chain Drug Marketing Association’s 90th annual Trade Expo was hailed by participants as one of the organization’s best.
“CDMA continues to hit it out of the park,” said Lanny Doud, executive director of QualityCare Pharmacies. Between the quality suppliers, social networking and entertainment that included a 1920s-themed gala, the show “couldn’t have been any better,” he said.
CDMA’s Jim Devine presents an award to Fruth’s Lynne Fruth.
“The mix of vendors that exhibited at the CDMA Trade Expo this year was the best I’ve ever seen,” said Jay Duprey, vice president of sales and marketing at Frank W. Kerr Co. “I always enjoy meeting with the vendors during the Quality Choice Forum because it’s a great educational experience.
“The networking events were beneficial and fun — it’s good to see other regional wholesalers and chains share ideas and successes, as we all compete with the same national competitors in the marketplace.”
Barbara Taylor, category manager at Fruth Pharmacy, said, “This is one of the better shows I’ve attended for CDMA. The selling floor was fantastic.”
The event, held here last month, included the presentation of six awards. Product Quest was named Store Brand Supplier of the Year, while Nate Hendrick, program director for general merchandise and HBC at Great North Foods, was selected as Store Brand Wholesaler of the Year.
The 2016 Store Brand Excellence Award went to Xttrium Laboratories Inc., Briargrove Pharmacy was honored as Member of the Year, and the Associate Vendor of the Year accolade went to Shawshank LEDz.
Honored with the Jack E. Fruth Lifetime Achievement Award were Lynne Fruth, chairman and president of Fruth Pharmacy, and retired CDMA vice president Judy Aspinall.
Doud was named the association’s executive board chairman for 2016-2017. Terms on the board were renewed for Tim Weber, vice president of pharmacy at Fruth, and Karla Moschella, vice president of sales and marketing at Value Drug. Jim Bernitt, category manager at Rochester Drug Cooperative, was voted in as the newest member of the board.
“This year’s show was amazing,” said Bernitt. “It was obvious that a lot of hard work had gone into the planning and execution of it. Job well done by the CDMA staff. I know I share the same feelings and sentiments of others that the current staff in place ranks up there with the best they have had.”
