June 19, 2014 

Phoenix, AZ – Regional Distributors, Inc. was recognized for exceptional performance over the past year during Strategic Market Alliance's (SMA) annual Member-Supplier Conference at the Arizona Grand Resort and Spa in Phoenix, June 9 – 12. Regional Distributors, Inc. and several other SMA suppliers and member-distributors were honored with SMA’s prestigious Navigator Award for optimizing efficiency and effectiveness within the supply channel by creating value-based, functional business solutions that improve operations while enhancing customer satisfaction. “Navigator has been established as the standard of excellence within the SMA family of companies for demonstration of value, impact, and commitment to the business and partnership principles for which SMA stands. Winners of the Navigator Award have set the pace for all to follow and we are very pleased to recognize their performance,” said Dick McGann, President and CEO of SMA.

SMA’s annual Member-Supplier Conference featured an innovative suite meeting format and informative guest speakers from within and outside the distribution industry, as well as engaging receptions and social activities for fun, friendship, and networking. Over 350 professionals from the foodservice, janitorial, and sanitation distribution industry came together to focus on this year's conference theme "Rise to the Challenge". “It’s an inspirational concept with universal meaning to the organizations and individuals attending the Conference, as we align to develop strategies for growth and delivery of ever greater value to our mutual end-user customers.”, said Jack Dietrich, SMA’s Chief Operating Officer.

Noted economist Alan Beaulieu, president of ITR Economics, was the featured speaker at the conference’s opening session. Alan brought his extensive business cycle trend analysis and consulting experience to the group, along with his perspective as Senior Economic Advisor to the National Association of Wholesalers and a Contributing Editor for Industry Week, and author of the book MAKE YOUR MOVE. Conference attendees were also presented to by Ted McKenna, Senior Research Director at Corporate Executive Board. Ted runs the CEB Sales offering for mid-sized sales organizations, building new products to help serve a membership of more than 300 companies. An expert on the Challenger Sale and how companies implement the Insight Selling Method™, Ted has written best practices and provided advice for executives across many critical sales-related areas.

Visit SMA to view all of the Navigator Award recipients.