World Fence News

74 • JULY 2019 • WORLD FENCE NEWS Encon Electronics "event weekend" unites dealers and vendors On May 3-4, leading access con- trols wholesale supplier Encon Elec- tronics hosted its 4th annual trade show at The Barn in Livermore, Ca- lif. Dealers from around the Bay Area and vendors from across the country traveled to Northern California to at- tend the 2019 Encon Expo. The weekend began with a pre- show vendor golf day. Manufacturer representatives joined Encon employ- ees for some friendly competition at Poppy Ridge golf course in Liver- more, Calif. The two-day Expo kicked off on Friday afternoon/early evening, fol- lowed by the most well-attended ven- dor dinner in Encon history. The following morning, the ex- hibit hours re-opened to welcome an- other round of attendees. In total, a combined 200 dealers and vendors attended the Expo and over 20 different manufacturers ex- hibited at the show. This allowed at- tendees to view and demo a variety of gate operator and access control equipment. This is the first time Encon Elec- tronics has hosted a two-day trade show, Encon president Jeff Harris not- ed. "Our goal was to target as many dealers as possible by offering exhibit hours at completely different times on two separate days, and it was a huge success. "The late Friday and early Satur- day exhibit hours made it possible for dealers to attend the trade show after work without having to give up valu- able job time or much of their precious weekend time," said Harris. "Having a two-day show also pro- vided more time for training work- shops. Last year, we offered eight seminars and this year, we doubled that number," he added. Sixteen free training work- shops were offered every half hour, and they were held in two designat- ed training areas. BFT America, Diablo Controls, BEA USA, Mill- er Edge, Inc., USAutomatic, Door King, Torxun, and All-O-Matic pro- vided training on Friday. Viking Access Systems, EMX, Industries, Inc., Maximum Controls, Hy-Security/Nice, FAAC Internation- al, Linear/Nortek, Security Brands, Inc. and LiftMaster conducted work- shops on Saturday. Every workshop was well-attend- ed and, in some cases, it was standing room only, Harris said. Attendees enjoyed compli- mentary food and beverages both days sponsored by Encon and its platinum sponsors: BEA, DoorKing, LiftMas- ter, Linear, Miller Edge, and Viking Access Systems. Most of the action took place on the show floor with Encon's Billy Ken- nedy manning the helm as the event emcee. Kennedy kept the event lively with his colorful commentary as he raffled prizes throughout the show. Encon's Matt Bias worked as the event blackjack dealer providing at- tendees additional opportunities to increase their odds for a raffle prize. Winners were announced every half hour and prizes ranged from gift cards to Home Depot, Amazon, and Target to various products or tools and electronics. The ultimate raffle prize – a 65" TV donated by DoorKing – was raf- fled off at the end of the show. Everardo Contreras and his son from E.C.A. Works in Redwood City, Calif. were the lucky recipients of the prize. DoorKing sales director Dusty Beeding presented the TV to the ec- static winners. During the last half hour of the Encon Expo exhibit hours, former president and CEO, Betty Mullin, dropped in for a surprise visit. Vendor representatives, Encon employees, and remaining dealers were all surprised and elated to see her after she announced her retire- ment one year ago. "Encon Electronics was over- whelmed by the support of the man- ufacturers and the number of dealers that attended the show," Harris said. "Our annual trade show continues to grow every year, and we couldn't be more excited about its growth and success. Our goal is to offer access control and gate operator dealers the opportunity to attend a trade show with leading manufacturers minus the heavy burden of travel expenses and days away from their job." "The expanding number of ex- hibitors coupled with Encon's unique event style allows us to host a legiti- mate trade show while maintaining a family-like/Encon environment," he said. "This year's vendor dinner includ- ed more manufacturer representatives than ever before. The dinner is now a tradition that has become almost as valuable as the actual trade show. Manufacturers come together to share a great meal as well as personal and professional stories in a fun, intimate setting. For one evening, we are no longer competitors, simply industry friends." The dinner is typically held the night before the Encon golf tourna- ment and/or trade show and every year, the number of vendor attend- ees grows, Harris noted. "This year, scheduling the trade show on back- to-back days may have contributed to the strong attendance. Representatives were able to fly in for the first day of the show, stay for dinner, and then at- tend the show the following morning. Overall, the vendor golf day, vendor dinner, and Encon Expo exceeded En- con's highest expectations." Ruben Alvarez of Viking Access systems said, "Encon knows how to put together an event that vendors and dealers enjoy coming to. I can't wait to see what next year's event brings." "I loved the show because I don't generally get the opportunity to at- tend the national shows so having a local regional show on a Saturday was perfect for me," said Brian Stephens with Wes Day Enterprises in Stock- ton, Calif. "As for me, I'd say Encon has for decades been one of, if not the, premier distributors with the ability to bring together all of the industries' finest manufacturers. Great turn out – I enjoyed the training sessions and had great fun!" For more information about En- con Electronics and their extensive product line and training opportuni- ties, or to learn about future events, visit www.enconelectronics.com or call 800-782-5598. Above, the group is all smiles at the largest vendor dinner in Encon history. Fifty vendors and Encon employees attended. Below, the Encon crew. (Encon photos) Reunion time! Former Encon pres- ident/CEO Betty Mullin and former sales director Joe Weber surprised the Encon team with their appearance at Encon Expo. Mike Toren of Infinity RFID (left) talks shop with Jimmy Goh of Metro Lock- smith in San Francisco, Calif. A shot of The Barn venue during the closing minutes of the show. Beth Boreczky (right) of Byan Sys- tems and Danny Klein, from Integrat- ed Sales Consultants (grey shirt third from right) discuss product features with Encon dealers. Carlos Gonzalez with Lauren Koper of LiftMaster having fun with the casi- no-themed trade show.

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