By Alan Wolf

BrandSource’s board of directors and staff gathered by a marina in Long Beach, Calif., last week to commemorate the 50th anniversary of what has become the industry’s largest buying and marketing group. The connection: parent organization AVB was conceived during a Southern California fishing trip half a century ago by a handful of bold, independent dealers seeking better deals from their vendors.

BrandSource’s board of directors and staff gathered by a marina in Long Beach, Calif., last week to commemorate the 50th anniversary of what has become the industry’s largest buying and marketing group. The connection: parent organization AVB was conceived during a Southern California fishing trip half a century ago by a handful of bold, independent dealers seeking better deals from their vendors.

Fifty years, $19 billion and 4,000 members later, the group is marking its birthday under the banner “Better Together,” which remains its not-so-secret formula for success. “We’ve come a long way,” commented director Malcolm Williams, owner of Greenville Appliance & Mattress in North Carolina. “We are now the premier buying group.”

Toast to the past 50 years and to 50+ more!

In a further tribute to AVB’s founding, CEO Jim Ristow later led the assemblage in a toast to the group’s longevity and continued success aboard the “Dream On” docked behind them. The team and directors were in town for BrandSource’s annual board meeting.

YSN is published by BrandSource parent company AVB Inc.

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