Sales Pro, Durvet’s annual training conference, has been a growing event for the past two decades. Durvet takes pride in its mission and values of serving its members and designed the event to enhance product knowledge and sales enterprise. Sales Pro is an avenue to accomplish this by providing opportunities to learn and grow, consistently bringing products to the table, giving insights on the market and industry, and helping establish connections that last. After all, sales is all about the customer experience and helping people by solving problems. Armor Animal Health’s Sandy Rischel states, “It is our favorite event of the whole year to attend because it is focused on our dealer retail market.”

This year’s Sales Pro was held in Kansas City, Missouri, 30 minutes away from Durvet’s facility in Blue Springs, Missouri. With the event being local, Durvet was able to showcase their beloved city and build upon connections in new ways. Sales Pro in Kansas City consisted of trade show and breakout sessions, activities revolving around history and sports, an evening at Durvet, and awards in multiple categories for those who have gone above and beyond throughout the year.

Trade show and breakout sessions are a major part of Sales Pro that helps distributor member representatives get to know a variety of vendors and the products they have to offer their customers. Veterinary Service Inc.’s Chad Waterman says, “This year I found many new vendors as well as many new products. The comradery with the Durvet staff as well as other distributors is always a focus of mine.” With 47 vendors in attendance—21 leading 35 breakout sessions-- there was plenty of knowledge to be soaked up and time to engage in impactful conversations.

Along with business comes pleasure as many attendees had the opportunity to experience a few of Kansas City’s great attractions. This year’s activities included touring Arrowhead Stadium and Harry S. Truman Library, a learning excursion through the nation’s official WWI Museum & Memorial, and the chance to play a friendly game of golf at Fred Arbanas Golf Course. Coastal Ag Supply’s Rachel Vickers says, “I really enjoyed the tours that were planned, very enjoyable.” There’s always something fun to take part in when attending Sales Pro!

Another great opportunity attendees were able to participate in this year was an evening at Durvet’s facility in Blue Springs. Durvet bused attendees to the facility for an evening of tours, cocktails, dinner from Zarda Bar-B-Q, awards, and prizes to conclude a great week. Since the evening was hosted at the facility, many employees of Durvet who weren’t attending Sales Pro were able to take part in the evening and help make the evening special.

Along with the trade shows and evening at Durvet, awards and recognition were given throughout the week. Each year vendors and distributor member representatives have the chance to earn an award from Durvet for their efforts in helping Durvet continue to be a successful company in the animal health industry. This year’s vendor award winners were BioZyme – New Vendor of the Year, Elanco Animal Health - Private Label Vendor of the Year, Compana Pet Brands – Vendor Brand of the Year, and Sparhawk Laboratories, Inc. – Rising Star Vendor of the Year. This year’s distributor sales representative award winners were John Davenport – Livestock Products, Lauren Henslee – Companion Products, Jeff Green – Equine Products, Karly Klaholz – Overall, and Adam Young – Durvet Products. Each award presented honors hard work and dedication each recipient puts in and shows Durvet’s appreciation.

Overall, this year’s Sales Pro represented the very thing that made its existence: serving our members. K&K’s Chad Lipsmeyer states, “The event was top notch from beginning to end!” Seventy-two hours utilized to come together as an industry and grow together in knowledge, develop lasting connections, and help one another serve the animal health community. That’s what it’s all about!