Why GMDC is Different?

Nobody Works Harder for General Merchandise (GM) and Health Beauty Wellness (HBW).

GMDC is the premier trade association dedicated to building business in General Merchandise and Health Beauty Wellness. As such, our entire focus is GM and HBW and facilitating growth for our member companies and growth in the industry.

GMDC’s Marketing Conferences: Since 1970, A Proven Format for Success

GMDC’s annual General Merchandise and Health Beauty Wellness Marketing Conferences, offered in the spring and the fall respectively, are considered among the industry’s highest productivity events, designed and conducted for maximizing business opportunity – top-level, peer-to-peer between Retailer/Wholesalers and Suppliers.

GMDC’s signature conference format features Controlled Casual Conferences (CCCs) – prescheduled, face-to-face meetings designed and supported to facilitate the important issues arising between trading partners or to build new business relationships.

A GMDC Marketing Conference is not a “booth show” but prescheduled meetings with top management from both sides (Retailer/Wholesalers meeting with Suppliers) in either approximately 10 or 20 minute appointments.  During these appointments delegates discuss business reviews, logistics issues, operational issues, marketing plans and review new items.

These appointments are selected by the Wholesaler/Retailer conference attendees based on either their company or their categories. Suppliers meet with companies that truly have an interest in meeting and learning more about their products. They will know what company, who from that company and what time their appointments are four weeks in advance, giving them time to do their homework from the GMDC website about the Wholesaler/Retailers.

The General Merchandise and Health Beauty Wellness industries require constant relationship building and there is no better way than meeting with top management from both customers and potential customers at a GMDC Marketing Conference. Attending a GMDC Marketing Conference can be one of the most efficient ways for you to do business, both from a schedule and financial resource standpoint.

Landmark Industry Research and Education

GMDC Education & Insights identifies new opportunities for General Merchandise and Health Beauty Wellness through leading-edge research and education. GMDC members receive access to this valuable information as a benefit of membership.

An Unparalleled Industry Network

GMDC is all about building successful business relationships. Each Marketing Conference includes ample opportunities for trading partners to get to know one another beyond the Controlled Casual Conference floor. Facilitated by CCCnet and the GMDC website (www.gmdc.org) the relationship-building takes place throughout the year.
To view a list of GMDC Members, click here.

Leadership by the Industry We Serve

GMDC receives its vision and direction from its various boards representing both the supplier and wholesaler/retailer sides of the business. Many of the companies participating in our leadership are the same companies that are leading the industry.

Where GMDC is Going?

Innovative Enhancements

GMDC is constantly developing new benefits for our members.  We ask our members what they want and need to continue to improve their business, and we deliver on it.  We develop new programs to meet our members’ needs as well as new market research and other resources to help you to continue enhancing your business.

GMDC’s active leadership provides members ways to help continually improve GMDC’s offerings to its members.