The dust is still settling on Nationwide Marketing Group’s 57^th in-person edition of PrimeTime, which took place in Nashville, August 15-18, but the early returns from the business and educational conference show just how critical an opportunity those few days are for independent retailers.

“After more than 18 months apart, we expected a lively and excited crowd. But our members and vendor partners simply blew the roof off the Gaylord Opryland Resort,” says Nationwide President and Chief Member Advocate Tom Hickman. “The educational sessions were some of the most engaging we’ve seen at PrimeTime, member meetings were lively, and the show floor was absolutely buzzing with activity for two full days.”

Roughly 900 member companies made the trip to Nashville for PrimeTime. Another 175 vendor partners were on hand showcasing their products and services. In total, PrimeTime welcomed more than 3,500 attendees to the Music City. But it’s not just that they showed up to PrimeTime and had a good time — which they did. Nationwide’s members took advantage of every opportunity available to get further educated on the ever-evolving retail landscape. And they made sure to capitalize on all the Cash Back and show specials available only to those members in attendance. Perhaps most critical of all, dealers gobbled up all of the available inventory Nationwide’s vendor partners brought to Nashville, ensuring they can meet their customers’ needs during the critical final few months of the year.

“We tip our hats to our vendor partners who joined us for PrimeTime and helped make this an exceptionally important opportunity for our members,” says Patrick Maloney, executive vice president of membership for Nationwide. “Their commitment to the success of the independent channel was clear and commendable. Vendors across all categories stepped up to the plate with some exceptional offers for our members. But, more importantly, they secured plenty of available inventory for our channel at a time when supply chains continue to feel the squeeze.”

As of the issue date for this release, Nationwide dealers have earned over $3.2 million in Cash Back — a figure that will continue to rise as orders from the show are processed. Additional highlights included:

• • 2,100+ show specials and Cash Back giveaways.
  • Over $200,000 in giveaways to members from 40+ vendor partners, including new products, Senior PGA Tour Tickets and a Trip of a Lifetime.
  • A highly successful Palooza, which featured more than 7,500 orders placed in 90 minutes. In addition, GE sold 5,000 laundry units, Element Appliances sold 100% of its in-stock products and more than 150 members benefitted from special financing offers from Synchrony Financial and Wells Fargo.
  • A 37% increase in major appliance brand sales.
  • One TV was sold every second while the show floor was open.
  • More than 45,000 bedding units sold during the event.
  • $35 million+ sold in 17 hours by furniture and bedding vendor partners.
  • More than 150 new accounts set up with distribution partners during the show.
  • Appliance and outdoor vendor partners had more than 150 new dealer sign-ups during the show.
  • Over 100 members signed up for free education credits through the NMG-CEDIA partnership.

On the education and networking side, PrimeTime in Nashville was another exceptionally busy show, with more than 100 free Nationwide Learning Academy (NLA) classes offered at the show. In total, 3,744 NLA sessions were attended, which translates to roughly 4.2 sessions per member company.

Among the highlights of the educational opportunities was a track focused on the evolution of the shopper journey over the past year and a half. The conversation around the shopper journey started as a panel during the opening keynote, featuring key executives from GE Appliances, Google, Synchrony, Tempur-Sealy International, Traeger Grills and Nationwide. Members then continued those conversations in their respective regional meetings. And the education continued with several courses focused on digital-first marketing and leveraging services available through Nationwide across the shopper journey.

The Shopper Journey panel at PrimeTime featured (from left to right): Aaron Bundschuh, Chief Digital and Technology Officer, NMG; Tom Murray, EVP & CMO, Tempur-Sealy International; Jason Alleger, Sr. Director, Consumer Insight & Strategy, Traeger Grills; Chris Merrill, CMO, Home & Auto, Synchrony Financial; and Mary Putnam, VP, Marketing & Brand, GE Appliances

“The single driver of success will be how we effectively reach shoppers at the moments that are most influential to their decision-making process,” says Rob White, vice president of brand and strategy for Nationwide. “Today’s shoppers have more choices, more information and more power than ever before. But thankfully, as we displayed during PrimeTime, we have strength in numbers. On behalf of our members, we will relentlessly push to lead with data and insights to provide the right message to the right shopper at the right time.”

In addition, hundreds of member and vendor companies participated in various networking engagements, including two WIN: Women in Nationwide events, a first-timers’ and new members reception, meal packing to support No Child Hungry, and events held for specialty groups, including Home Technology Specialists Nationwide (HTSN), NextGen and I.D.E.A. (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Access). Nationwide also hosted two massive celebrations in honor of the group’s 50^th anniversary: a night at the Grand Ole Opry highlighted by GRAMMY Award-winning country music band Little Big Town and the Grant Webb Band, and a decades celebration.

The excitement of PrimeTime will carry on throughout the month of September as Nationwide opens its hybrid Virtual PrimeTime experience just after Labor Day. For 30 days, members will have the opportunity to catch up on some of the most popular educational sessions that were offered in Nashville, including the opening keynote panel, Center Stage interviews with key vendor partners and more.

Nationwide next turns its PrimeTime attention to Phoenix, where the 58^th edition of the biannual event is scheduled to run February 5-8, 2022.