WINTER STORM DOESN'T COOL NECO BUSINESS.(NECO Alliance's winter meeting closed four hours early)(Brief Article)

HFN: The Weekly Newspaper for the Home Furnishing Network, March, 2005

SECAUCUS, N.J.-'Snow trouble at all. The NECO Alliance buying-group winter meeting closed four hours early because of bad weather two weeks ago -- but 94 percent of the members turned up early, stayed late and placed record orders with vendors, said Mel Hunger, executive director.

It wasn't the first time late-winter storms disrupted travel for the five-chapter group, with members spread from Maine to Virginia. Nevertheless, the independent retailers in appliances, electronics and other products have a history of strong attendance. Vendors' show specials always are numerous.

The winter exposition, largely for room air conditioning, was scheduled for 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. With more ice than snow on the ground, the nearby state highway was closed by a...