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Bring A Buyer to CAMEX Grant Program Brings 50 Buyers to the Trade Show Floor
Torchlight | Spring 2008
Of all the business buzz words we hear everyday, one stands out - ROI - return on investment. More than 30 company and personal contributors invested $24,500 in grant funding to enable 50 store buyers to travel and attend CAMEX. The return value of that investment is measured in various ways. Many of the grant recipients would not have been able to attend CAMEX without support from the Foundation.
"The best thing about the whole CAMEX experience is being able to discuss with others that have the same issues and concerns as I do," explains Carolyn Williams, manager, Kilgore College Bookstore, Kilgore, TX, a 2008 CAMEX grant recipient. "Exchanging ideas and learning what other stores do is invaluable. Knowing that you're not alone, networking, making new friends, and getting the chance to visit so many vendor booths is what CAMEX is all about. Without the funding from the NACS Foundation or its partnering companies, I would have missed this amazing experience," said Williams.
This CAMEX holds a special place for Chris Tompkins, vice president college sales, Budgetext Corporation. Tompkins, Budgetext Corporation, along with fellow industry colleagues, partnered together to allow five college store buyers to attend this year's annual meeting. The $2,500 contribution was made in memory of Tompkins' wife Joanne.
"I want to keep Joanne's legacy alive and this was a way to achieve that," stated Tompkins. "Joanne would be thrilled to know that five individuals were able to attend CAMEX on her behalf and take the knowledge that those individuals gathered over the course of the meeting, apply it to their store, which in turn will benefit the store and the industry overall."
Thank you to all of our partnering companies and individual support that made the Bring A Buyer to CAMEX 08 grant program such a success. The NACS Foundation allows companies and individuals to support buyers at CAMEX through the Bring A Buyer grant program. Companies can provide funding for grants beginning at $500. Each grant provides up to $795 and covers a CAMEX budget registration fee ($295 value) and travel/housing expenses ($500 value) for a buyer.
The NACS Foundation has provided grants to more than 1,000 store buyers to attend CAMEX. If you would like to partner with the Bring A Buyer to CAMEX 09 grant program, click here. For more information on how your store can qualify for a CAMEX grant, contact Kristi Runser at (800) 622-7498, ext. 2206, e-mail krunser@nacs.org, or visit us online.
-Meredith Bruder
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