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Discover the best ways to create a positive and inspiring work environment at the new Counselor Best Places to Work Conference. Our action-packed agenda includes interactive sessions and entertaining activities centered on communication in the workplace, motivating sales reps, the keys to building high-performing cultures and more!

Agenda

  • Optional (8:30 a.m.)
  • Breakfast
  • Morning Sessions (9:15 a.m. - Noon)
  • Welcome by Tim Andrews
  • Go Rogue: Unconventional Strategies to Hire & Retain Top Talent
  • Perks vs. Salary Increases: Which Packs a Bigger Punch?
  • Secrets of the Industry’s #1 Workplace
  • Build a Culture of Customer Service Fanatics
  • Empower Employees to Win Six-Figure Deals
  • How Healthy Competition Can Instantly Boost Productivity
  • Networking Lunch (Noon - 1:30 p.m.)
  • Afternoon Sessions (1:30 p.m. - 4 p.m.)
  • Transform Your Culture Into a Best Place to Work
  • Fit Employees + Free Clinics = Reduced Healthcare Premiums
  • How to Smartly Manage Growth (and Reduce Employee Stress)
  • Brainstorming Session: Build a Better Workforce Now
  • Market Your Culture to New Hires
  • Happy Hour as a Client Retention Tool
  • Evening Sessions (7 p.m.)
  • Awards Reception

Speakers

Jim Malkus is president and CEO of Indoff, which has more than 400 salespeople throughout the country. He helps cultivate a team atmosphere among the 40 employees at company’s head office together through spirited competitions and cookouts.

David Woods is the president and CEO of AIA Corporation. He has spent most of his career guiding the profitable development of start-up and fast-growing companies. Under his leadership, AIA has landed a recurring spot on the Counselor Best Places to Work list.

Tom Havens is the president and founder of Catalyst Marketing, a Seattle-based distributor that is a perennial member of Counselor’s Best Places to Work list. Catalyst thrives on an open and creative culture that Tom has worked to cultivate at his fast-growing company.

Chuck Fandos is president of Gateway CDI, whose company develops, promotes and sells programs to some of the largest multinational corporations in the world. Chuck strives to create an entrepreneurial atmosphere at Gateway where employees go out of their way to service clients and win new business.

Jim Martin is president of Kolder, Inc, which is the parent company of NUMO. He has a degree in mechanical engineering and has been in the industry for 15 years with a background in manufacturing, finance, and accounting. He recently hired a fitness trainer, “Stella,” to whip his employees into shape.

Dan Taylor, founder and CEO of supplier firm BamBams, runs a creative company that thrives on unique and fun products, as well as a culture of customer service. Taylor was named Counselor’s Supplier Entrepreneur of the Year in 2012.

Cindy Jorgenson is the vice president and national sales manager of Counselor Top 40 distributor Brown & Bigelow. During her years as an account executive, she focused on national program clients and achieved great success, winning multiple sales and industry awards. She's been named to the Counselor Hot List, and was honored as Brown & Bigelow's Regional and National Rep of the Year.

Jeff Hall is EVP of Sales/Business Development for New Clients, a fast-growing distributorship based in Richmond, VA. With more than 37 years of experience within the healthcare marketing and retail financial services industries, he oversees all aspects of New Clients’ sales, including business development and strategic growth initiatives.

Teki Hall is president/CEO for New Clients, a fast-growing distributorship based in Richmond, VA. With more than 27 years of experience in the retail, technology and promotional products industries, she oversees all operations for New Clients and manages supplier contracts, rebates and special pricing pricing.

Venue

The Hotel Chicago Downtown - Autograph Collection is located at 333 N. Dearborn St in Chicago, IL. For those who need to stay overnight, ASI has negotiated a rate of $179 per night plus 16.4% tax. There are a limited number of rooms available at this rate. Cut off date for registration is 6/19/14.

Book Hotel By Phone

Please call the hotel at (312) 245-0333 and reference the group name, ASI. Hurry, the discount hotel rate is subject to availability. Last day to book is by 6/19/2014.

Book Hotel Online

Click on this link to make online reservations.

Travel Arrangements

When booking flight arrangements, please arrange for arrival in time for the first session which starts at 7 a.m. You can fly into either the Chicago Midaway Airport or Chicago O'Hare Airport.

Directions

From the Chicago Midway Airport:

  • Head south on S Cicero Ave.
  • Make a uturn at W 59th St.
  • Turn right onto the Interstate 55 N/ Stevenson Expy ramp to Chicago.
  • Merge onto I-55 N/ Stevenson Expy.
  • Take exit 292A to merge onto I-90W/I-94 W toward W Ryan Expy/Wisconsin.
  • Take exit 51H for I-290 W toward W Eisenhower Expy/W Suburbs.
  • Keep right at the fork, follow signs for Congress Parkway/Chicago Loop and merge onto I-290 E.
  • Continue onto W Congress Pkwy.
  • Turn left onto S. Dearborn St, destination will be on the right.

From the Chicago O'Hare Airport:

  • Head northeast on Arrivals/Lower Level T3 St.
  • Take the ramp onto I-190 E.
  • Merge onto I-90 E.
  • Take exit 50B toward Ohio St E.
  • Merge onto W Ohio St.
  • Turn right onto N Lasalle St.
  • Turn left onto W Upper Wacker Drive.
  • Turn left onto N Dearborn St - hotel will be on the right.

Videos