Annual WBMA conference tops weather with talk

"I\TEITHER RAIN nor sleet nor snow I \ will stay them trom their appointed rounds." This familiar proverb, written for postmen, could also be applied to the almost 90 men and 70 women who at' tended the third annual WBMA All-Industry Marketing Conference at Salishan Lodge, Ore.

The 100 mph winds and heavY rains, topped ofi by a lS-hour blackout, did nothing to dampen the spirits and enthusiasm of the group.

Discussion sessions, evening bufiet, Iuncheon and golf tournament were all held as scheduled. Only the deep sea fishing trip was cancelled because of ll5 mph winds that battered the Oregon coast.

'The nickname "stormy blacked-out con' ference" may describe mother nature. But it's far from the mark where the conference activities were concerned. The cooperation with which everyone entered into small-group discussions may easily have produced the best all-industry exchange of ideas of all the three recent conferences.

The ten discussion groups explored all five topics, to give participants a wide range of experience and opinion.

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Wild wind and rain at third WBMA marketing conference didn't keep participants from enjoying and cooperating in a fine all-industry exchange.

Here are the topics and the names of the men who reported on them:

(l) Improved product packaging to as' sure better, easier handling and more effective sales, Robert E. Bush;

(2) Efiectively using cooperative advertising programs, Frosty Koch;

(3) Recommendations to improve han' dling of orders by wholesalers and manufacturers, Richard Wasson;

(4) Increasing frequency and efiectiveness o{ dealer product meetings with wholesalers and/or manufacturers, May' nard Hoffmann: and

(5) The extent that manufacturers and wholesale distributors are involved in in' dustry financing, Ansel Hyland.

The luncheon featured small group discussion reports from leaders and the pres' entatiofl of golf awards. Roger Conrad, who'll have his name on the large Western trophy for 1967, won low net.

Second low net was won by WoodY Railey. Moe Moyer won low gross. Other winners were Al Richert, Ted Igl, Larry Knudson, Arnold Kirkebo, Dick Stoufier and Ross Kincaid.

Women's low net was won by Janet Conrad, second low net by Fran Kettenring. Other winners were Ruth Link, Lucille Clammer, Elva Vaughan and Mary Koch. Everyone who finished, nine holes for women, 18 for men, was awarded a golf ball.