Retailers and suppliers both 'encouraged, upbeat and optimistic'

Despite an economy that continues to struggle, sales were brisk and attendance was up for the Munce Group's Christian Product Expo (CPE) from last year's show.

Held Sept. 12-14 at the Embassy Suites Murfreesboro Hotel and Convention Center in Murfreesboro, Tenn., CPE Nashville 2010 saw a 13% increase in retailer attendance over 2009, while supplier attendance was up approximately 8%, according to organizers.

"While the economy is an ever present challenge, retailers and suppliers attend CPE because they know it is beneficial to their businesses," said Munce Group President Kirk Blank. More than 400 retailers and vendors attended the Munce members-only event.

Approximately 210 retailers placed orders with more than 180 vendors, representing 80 companies. "We're pulling the final sales number together, but it looks like we will see about a 20% increase in sales over last year's event," said Tom Knight, Thomas Nelson's senior vice president of Christian retail sales and ministry development group.

Ed Nizynski, vice president of sales for Lighthouse Christian Products, said the company saw a 25% sales increase over last year's CPE. "Retailers were upbeat," he told Christian Retailing. "It (CPE) is well-organized, retailer focused, inspiring, educational and a very enjoyable venue."

Paula Merkle of The Bridge Christian bookstore in Van Wert, Ohio, said she arrived at the show "burnt out and ready to quit," but she left "encouraged and reminded of why I am in this industry."

Brian Hill, co-owner of Lighthouse Christian Supply in Dublin, Calif., told Christian Retailing that "everyone seemed to be optimistically uncertain.

"No one is sure what the next several years will bring, but most seemed optimistic that they will find a way to be (in business)," he said. "The Munce Group has really nailed the format for a trade show. Great entertainment, great vendors, excellent workshops—and all with a very doable reimbursement plan that makes it affordable."

Dan McClelland, co-owner of Danville Christian Store in Danville, Ky., said the mood of retailers and suppliers was "generally upbeat."

"I think it was a mindset of 'hey, we're all experiencing a lot of the same challenges—let's band together to weather this season out as best we can,'" he told Christian Retailing. "The fact that stores are compensated for writing business with vendors is a win-win for everyone. There's no fluff that goes on—it's relevant business that is necessary for today's survival."

CPE included a Bible conference featuring Elizabeth and Jim George as well as other authors, including Carol Kent, Andy Andrews and Joel C. Rosenberg. Artists performing at the event included Bebo Norman, Audrey Assad, Jars of Clay, Matthew West, Jason Crabb, Andy Andrews as well as comedian Kenn Kington.

CPE also featured a sneak preview of Courageous—a police drama addressing issues of fatherhood that likely will not be released in theaters until fall 2011, according to Stephen Kendrick, the film's co-writer and producer who showed several clips of the follow-up to Fireproof.

A Munce Group advisory board member, McClelland said the Courageous scenes was "both awesome and emotional."

"Based on what we saw, I can't wait to see the complete movie. I think it's going to be even bigger and touch more lives than … Fireproof," he said.

Munce emphasized order-writing at CPE by motivating retailers with a reimbursement program that helps to offset travel, food and hotel expenses, based on reaching order-writing goals. Munce serves nearly 500 stores nationwide.

Munce's CPE Hershey is planned for Jan. 16-18, 2011, at the Hershey Lodge in Hershey, Pa.

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