Bankers Advertising Company (asi/131650), Counselor’s 2021 Distributor Family Business of the Year, recently held an annual conference that brought together sales professionals and supplier representatives for networking, a tabletop trade show and more.

Bankers honored its sales partners with awards at the conference. “We always enjoy getting together with our sales partners and suppliers,” said Erica Kelley-Gogel, Bankers’ vice president of sales, who is shown here (middle).

Themed around the concept of “Betting to Win,” the 2023 Gathering of the Stars National Sales Meeting occurred at the Isle Casino in Bettendorf, IA. It featured supplier speed sessions, networking with peers and suppliers, a tabletop trade show, and multiple awards ceremonies celebrating the career achievements of Bankers’ top sales partners.

The event kicked off with a reception and dinner for more than 50 Bankers representatives, guests, suppliers and employees. There was also a dinner cruise on the Mississippi River.

“We always enjoy getting together with our sales partners and suppliers,” said Erica Kelley-Gogel, Bankers’ vice president of sales. “Our goal is to provide a mixed format of sharing experiences, finding new ideas, celebrating successes and having fun. We’re able to achieve that because our sales partners are engaged and interested in growing their business. The camaraderie among our sales partners is powerful.”

S.W. Mercer founded Bankers Advertising Company about 125 years ago in Iowa City, IA. These days, the distributorship is fifth-generation family-owned and -operated.