The following story appeared in the May 28, 2019 issue of Sign & Digital Graphics online 

by Tony Kindelspire

 

 

The Newton, Iowa-based Vernon Co., a full-service graphics and promotional products company founded in 1902, recently paid special tribute to two of its account executives at its annual sales meeting in San Diego, CA.

The company’s annual national sales meeting took place at a resort in San Diego. It brought together nearly 100 account executives from coast to coast and 70 supplier partners.

For the first time in five years, two account executives, Michael Plumb (based in Georgia) and Jeff Eisbrener (based in Iowa), were recognized for outstanding sales volume as well as being 2019 Incentive Trip winners.

According to the company, of the 260-plus account executives who sell for Vernon, the vast majority of them sell promotional products, while just 6% of them are graphics AEs. “With a different set of sales goals and criteria, it’s a rare occurrence for two graphics AEs to be in attendance at both a national sales meeting and an Incentive Trip the same year,” the company says.

“The graphics business is challenging,” says Tony Oberman, vice president of Vernon Graphics. “The order cycles of most customers are long and unpredictable. Maintaining strong customer relationships is the key to long-term success. Fortunately, graphics sales volume was up over 40% last year but we never really know how the year ahead of us will unfold.”

Plumb, who has been selling graphics for Vernon since 2006, is currently a member of the company’s $7 Million Dollar Club.

Eisbrener began his career with Vernon in 2000 and started selling graphics in 2007. He is currently a member of Vernon’s $17 Million Dollar Club and is currently the third-highest overall producer in Vernon history, including both graphics and promotional account executives.