MRC Announces Details for Annual Rep Conference in Las Vegas

		Les Kirby of NA Williams has been in the automotive business for more than 25 years and has been involved in the rep business for more than 20 years.

The 10th annual Manufacturers Rep Council (MRC) Rep Conference returns to Las Vegas and will take place during the 2011 SEMA Show. Join the MRC for an open and interactive session addressing the industry’s biggest challenges in a turbulent economy. It’s an event that all WDs, manufacturers and reps will not want to miss!

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It’s all about people and our successful partnership. The Rep Conference will demonstrate the connection between the segments of the industry and the most efficient way to get products to market. Reps need to be the conduit between manufacturers and accounts, and the conference will demonstrate that manufacturers, reps and WDs will maximize sales and growth through synergistic partnerships.

The MRC Rep Conference will convene at the Las Vegas Hilton on Sunday, October 30, from 3:30 p.m.–6:00 p.m. The early-bird price for SEMA members is $49 ($69 for non-members).

MRC Welcomes New Select Committee Members

MRC’s mission is to provide a forum for manufacturers’ representatives in order to increase their impact as an industry, explore issues of common interest and concern, increase their collective knowledge and elevate the overall image of the profession.

What exactly do the council’s leaders do throughout their terms? Very simply, the Select Committee is elected by the members of the council to serve two-year terms. Each Select Committee member volunteers for at least 20 hours throughout the year, and some volunteer even more. They participate in monthly conference calls and meetings that are held at various trade events throughout the year. Some share their experiences and vision; others provide creative solutions to the challenges that member companies face; still others get their hands dirty and get it done. Each Select Committee member is supported by his or her company in the MRC’s efforts, and for that we say “thank you” to those companies!

Meet the New Committee Members

		According to Bill Eagan of Airheart Sales, serving on the MRC affords you the opportunity to meet and learn from others in the industry.

Bill Eagan of Airheart Sales has been in the performance aftermarket industry for more than 20 years. For 12 years, Eagan served as a sales representative and also spent eight years in the manufacturing side of the business. Eagan believes in hard work and is a well-respected sales representative who will be an asset to the MRC council.

According to Eagan, the industry is changing at a rapid pace.

“Manufacturers’ representatives, being the eyes and ears in the field, see these changes before anyone else,” he said. “I wanted to become involved in how the manufacturers’ representative can stay ahead of these changes and help make decisions to maintain our important role in the industry.”

According to Eagan, serving on the council affords you the opportunity to meet and learn from others in the industry. The partnerships and understanding these relationships foster will help promote and address industry issues now and into the future. As with most enthusiasts, Eagan’s interests include racing, cars, sports and, of course, spending time with his family.

Les Kirby of NA Williams has been in the automotive business for more than 25 years and has been involved in the rep business for more than 20 years. Kirby is excited to be a part of the MRC and looks forward to following in the footsteps of committee member John Iannotte.

“In seeing his example of serving, I, too, would like to ‘give back’ with input of my experiences in an industry I truly love,” Kirby said.

He made the decision to be involved after seeing years of service from other members for whom he has a lot of respect. Kirby hopes to be able to offer insights on the manufacturers’ representative business and promote how members of MRC can be more productive for the account as well as for the manufacturer.

Kirby’s interests and hobbies include motorcycling and a recent antique car—a ’59 Ford Thunderbird.