GMDC brings suppliers, retailers together through new B2B Video Exchanges
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The Global Market Development Center has launched a next-generation digital event technology – B2B Video Exchanges – that brings together retailer, wholesalers, suppliers and service/solution companies to create commerce in real time.
“Our B2B Video Exchange brings the deal-making technology of tomorrow into today’s marketplace,” said Patrick Spear, president and CEO of GMDC. “It enables suppliers to engage with retailers about growing and emerging products and opportunities — forging new, and strengthening existing industry relationships.”
A key feature of the technology is secure video breakout rooms, which provide an arena for concurrent private meetings between up to 15 retailers and 15 supplier companies. These individual meetings, whether pre-scheduled or ad hoc, allow for pitching, discovering and evaluating products across general merchandise and health beauty and wellness categories.
B2B Video Exchange events host detailed participant company and staff profiles, so information is shared in advance of the breakout meetings. The platform also allows suppliers to send product samples to the participating retailers to stimulate potential sales in advance of the online meetings.
Building on GMDC’s face-to-face speed dating format, the B2B Video Exchange events are conducted via HD video, directly from participants' offices. The events complement the organization’s slate of bi-annual conferences, by allowing connections and collaboration throughout the year — without the cost of travel or hotels.
"The alliance with ConnectMii Communications allows GMDC to offer its members and B2B Video Exchange participants the newest technologies of business communication,” said Mark Barounos, CEO of ConnectMii Communications, which developed and hosts GMDC’s Video Exchange event platform. “This is truly the launch of a new era of pre-arranged meetings – a next-generation tool that will allow businesses to plan, produce and go to market with the products and ideas faster and more efficiently.”
The next B2B Video Exchange event on March 8 will be a forum for the electronics category, with a focus on mobile accessories and smart homes. Confirmed retail participants include: Amerisourcebergen, C&S Wholesale Grocers, Fred's Super Dollar, Imperial Distributors, L&R Distributors, SpartanNash, SuperValu, Topco Associates and Weis Markets.
“The B2B Virtual Platform is an incredibly efficient use of our time. It not only enhances our experience as members of GMDC, but also enhances the way we do business," said Jan Winn, director HBW and GM, Big Y Foods. "We save travel time and money while having the opportunity to meet with customers we may not have the chance to in their specific category’s prime buying season.“
GMDC has also scheduled B2B Video Exchange events on categories including cleaning products; vitamins, supplements and nutrition bars; pet care; natural and organic health and wellness; baby and infant products; and kitchen essentials.