EDA Hosts First In-Person Conference in Park City, Utah

SEATTLE, WA (06.16.2021) – Elite Distributor Alliance hosted the industry’s first face to face meeting in Park City Utah at the Grand Summit resort. All of EDA’s members and vendors attended the event and everyone was excited to be meeting in person.

L to R: Jim Warren (EDA), Josh Eatherly (P&E Distributors), Steve Irby (Kicker), Rob Limbaugh (Kicker), Lori Roberts (Kicker).

“After a year and a half of Zoom meetings it was so nice to actually be shaking hands and talking in person,” said Nalaka Adikari of Orca Designs. Ron Trout with JVC added, “Wow! EDA hosted an incredible event. What a group of professionals, and to be able to actually sit at a table and talk was energizing.”

L to R: Josh Eatherly (EDA), Jake Bates (Metra), Jeff Fletcher (Metra

EDA presented two vendor awards at the conference. Kicker received “Best Vendor in a Storm”. The award was presented to Steve Irby, Rob Limbaugh, and Lori Roberts by Josh Eatherly, EDA’s president. Eatherly noted, “Kicker stood out throughout the pandemic. Their ability to have product during a very difficult time was not only amazing, it likely saved many of our customers.”

EDA Members preparing to start the conference

EDA also presented Metra Electronics its Top Gun award. “Metra was amazing,” said Nate Taliani, President of Davis Distribution. “They pulled out all the stops and consistently delivered at better than expected fill rates. They worked literally around the clock to deliver us product. Because of this, as a group, we purchased more product from Metra than any one of our EDA vendors,” Taliani added.

L to R: Theresa and Josh Eatherly (P&E Distributors), Steve and Becky Irby (Kicker), Alex Camara (Audio Control), Rob Limbaugh (Kicker

EDA reported record sales for the year and estimates that 23.6% of all 12 volt product sold in the United States will flow through an EDA member in 2021. With same day or one day shipping to all 48 states customers recognize the benefits of utilizing their local EDA member to allow them to react very quickly in a rapidly shifting marketplace. Steve Cote from JVC said, “EDA members are increasingly becoming more and more important. They have reacted faster than most and are building a solid and loyal following.”

Vendors and Members networking around the firepits

On Monday night, June seventh, members and vendors rode the Orange Bubble chairlift to Lookout Cabin for a special joint dinner. At 8,000 feet the views were incredible in every direction. The weather was perfect. After dinner, the group gathered around the firepits for s’mores and more conversation.