Gulf Expo '90 attendees 'Catch the Wave' in Miami

Drug Store News, June 18, 1990

Gulf Expo '90 attendees `Catch the Wave' in Miami

MIAMI -- This year's theme for Gulf Distribution's annual merchandise exposition was "Catch the Wave," and that's exactly what more than 2,000 people representing more than 600 of the drug wholesaler's customers did at its Gulf Expo '90, recently held in this resort city where Gulf is based.

As in past years, the exposition offered customers an opportunity to learn about new products and programs offered by the plethora of suppliers, representing everything from candy to pharmaceuticals, manning more than 250 booths. According to Gulf president Howard Goldman, the show "was the best we ever had."

One of the highlights of the show was an 8-foot-high wall, 200 feet long, displaying a representation of every type of general merchandise carried by the Florida drug wholesaler.

Among the many services, systems and programs presented at the show to help customers in their day-to-day businesses were computers, security devices, beverage and snack programs, financial support, photofinishing, money orders, credit card processing, check verification and more.

Set up in one area of the exhibition was a "mini-store" that resembled the front-end of an actual store. Customers visiting this exhibit were able to come away with new and innovative merchandising ideas, according to David Mayper, sales manager. Included in the mock-up front end were ideas in the area of retail pricing, employee training and point-of-sale displays and signage.

Also featured in this section was Gulf's Vida Pharmacy program, a co-op advertising group that direct mails over 400,000 circulars each month with TV and radio advertising support.

Pharmacists were able to participate in 14 hours of continuing education programs on a variety of professional and technical topics.

Gulf will be taking Expo to Tampa in July to allow their West Coast customers the same show opportunities. A separate show for gourmet candy and foods will be held in August.

PHOTO : More than 600 Gulf Distribution customers attended Gulf Expo '90 in Miami. The show

PHOTO : featured more than 250 booths featuring everything from candy to pharmaceuticals.

PHOTO : Customers were able to see and learn about the latest product lines from manufacturer reps

PHOTO : manning booths.

PHOTO : Retailers visiting Gulf's "mini-store" were able to obtain information on Vida Pharmacy,

PHOTO : the drug wholesaler's co-operative advertising group.