Anheuser-Busch Annual Convention Comes to Chicago
Over 1,500 wholesalers and Anheuser-Busch representatives are headed to Chicago to “Turn the Town Blue” making it a Bud Light town. Scheduled for April 8 and 9, CITY Beverage-Chicago (CBC), and the local regional office of Anheuser-Busch will play host to the 2008 Wholesaler Strategy Meeting.
Senior leadership from Budweiser distributors across the nation will attend the strategic summit to discuss challenges and opportunities facing the industry. “CITY Beverage is thrilled the convention is returning to Chicago,” indicates CBC Sales Manager Tom Hincks. “It’s been more than a decade since the Windy City has hosted this gathering. We think choosing Chicago as the venue is an appreciated acknowledgement of our recent upward sales trends.
Held at the McCormick Center’s Arie Crown Theatre, the strategic meeting will impact the surrounding establishments as well. “With so many Anheuser-Busch representatives coming to town, we are scheduling a number of off-site promotions in the nearby bars and restaurants,” continues Hincks. “We plan to embrace the meeting’s theme, continue our recent double digit growth of Bud Light and truly ‘Turn the Town Blue.’”
A Market Maverick: Brambleton Tops Competitors for 2007 New Home Sales
The real estate industry suffered a difficult year, with more troubles predicated to come. Despite this overwhelmingly lackluster backdrop, Soave Enterprises’ master planned development Brambleton happily rang up 237 net sales in 2007. This figure exceeds all regional competitors’ sales over the same time period. “Importantly, we are on track to continuing this steady sales pace for 2008,” reports Kim Adams, Brambleton’s Director of Marketing.
In particular, the community’s condominiums have maintained keen buyer interest. “This product line has opened the door to homeownership to many first time buyers,” notes Adams. “The units appeal to young professionals just starting out, as well as to time-constrained single parents seeking to avoid the exterior upkeep of single family homes and townhouses.”
Centex Homes, one of Brambleton’s condominium builders, recently won a prestigious industry award for its three-bedroom Sedgewick model (shown below). “Buyers always appreciate this reinforcement of their home-buying decision,” says Adams.
Along with strong home sales, the community’s Town Center continues to thrive. Consolidated Cinemas, which has only been open since May 2007, ranked in the top grossing theatres for the entire Washington D.C. metropolitan area. Adams notes, “Our residents select Brambleton for its active, community-focused lifestyle and conveniently located amenities.”
MPS Group Appoints Charlie Williams to Helm
After serving eight years on MPS Group’s board of directors, Charlie Williams has been named as the company’s President and Chief Executive Officer. He succeeds founder Roderick Rickman who continues on as Chairman of the Board.
Williams’ duties in his new role include senior executive management and corporate oversight responsibilities, including strategic planning, corporate ethics, diversity initiatives, and board and stockholder relationships.
A member of the State Bar of Michigan, Williams is exceptionally well-qualified to lead the growing company and navigate it through future opportunities and challenges. He formerly served the City of Detroit and Wayne County for over 30 years, including posts as Chief of Staff for Detroit’s mayor, and as Deputy County Executive for Wayne County. Williams also spent several years as Executive Director of the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department.
In 2006, Williams was appointed to a six-year term with the Wayne County Airport Authority Board, the governing agency for the world’s 15th busiest airport. Active in the private sector as well, he currently serves on the board and as an audit committee member for publicly traded Magna Entertainment.
The Soave Enterprises family thanks Charlie for his historical contributions and wishes him much success in his new role.
CITY Beverage-Markham Delivers Relief to Flood Victims
Instead of more typical ice and snow, an early January storm brought severe flooding to the city of Watseka, Illinois. Surprised residents were left with damaged homes and few resources. Soon after officials declared Iroquois County a disaster area, CITY Beverage-Markham and Anheuser-Busch stepped in to lend a hand.
CITY Sales Representative Jeff Wiley spearheaded and coordinated the relief for his territory by contacting Anheuser-Busch directly. The brewer, together with CITY Beverage, quickly decided to assist with the town’s immediate needs and donated 100 cases of water to Watseka residents.
Swift delivery of the water was critical. To answer this need, Markham’s Team Leader Steve Mulder volunteered weekend time to bring the water to Iroquois County.
We want to thank Anheuser-Busch and CITY Beverage-Markham for clearly demonstrating their ongoing social responsibility. Our appreciation also extends to Jeff and Todd for their personal involvement in coming to the aid of their neighbors.
Have an idea for a story?
If you have information to share with co-workers across the Soave family of companies, please contact the site reporter at your location. A complete listing of reporters is available on-line at: www.soave.com/newsletter/newsletter_reporters.php
The Spectrum publishes articles focusing on the professional and personal successes of Soave team members. Photos to accompany story ideas are appreciated and greatly enhance the information provided. Story ideas include: updates or changes in business activities, accomplishments by employees and their family members, employee appointments and events, or awards received. Thank you for your help in making our newsletter an important employee link across our diverse company.
