Prospective Connect2One Vendor Partners

Who, or what is Connect2One?

Connect2One is the largest and most comprehensive buying/service group in the college bookstore industry. The company was originally founded as a buying cooperative in 1988. Connect2One, owned by Nebraska Book Company, is dedicated to the goal of helping both institutional and private stores stay independent and compete in today’s marketplace. With more than 750 member stores nationwide, Connect2One is a proven success in providing viable Partnerships with long-term benefits for all parties.

Co-location of Connect2One Annual Meeting & Buying Show with CAMEX

When the NACS board decided to move CAMEX to an earlier date, to a time more conducive to order writing - long the theme and time frame of the Connect2One Show - the obvious conclusion was to join forces in a co-location of events. Connect2One and NACS completed their first co-location effort in Los Angeles in 2002. Connect2One is delighted with the cooperation of NACS and the CAMEX staff in making the co-locations a continuing success.

As part of the continuing effort to educate Connect2One store members to the programs and products negotiated with Connect2One Vendor Partners, Connect2One conducts a full day of members-only Education Sessions prior to the CAMEX dates.

Additionally, Connect2One buyers are directed to the booths of Connect2One Vendor Partners by custom maps identifying partner locations. Connect2One buyers are readily identified by designation on their name badges. Due to the long-standing tradition of focused purchasing by our member buyers, Vendor Partners are encouraged to design booth layouts for CAMEX with plenty of space and personnel for order writing.

We provide our member stores with:

• Aggregated buying power to purchase products at substantial savings
• Enhanced bottom line financial results
• Competitive and advantageous retail services
• Exposure to other markets through Program Directors' activities
• Programs to help serve the student population and overall customer base as a viable alternative to the lease operator strategies
• Technology solutions for POS, Web site development and e-commerce through our parent company Nebraska Book and Campus Hub
• Advocacy programs to strengthen the position of independent "brick and mortar" college stores

To accomplish these ends we:

• Promote partnership offerings with our annual Connect2One Program Catalog.
• Encourage a high level of participation in offerings to effectively maximize market share
• Educate members on the value of partnership offerings
• Provide Vendor Partners with membership information along with monthly updates
• Engage in market research, product development and educational forums
• Utilize member input through a director and vendor Advisory Council and program specific Advisory Groups in apparel, supplies and computer products
• Employ full-time Program Directors for merchandise and service programs, regional Membership Managers, Institutional Store Advocate and a full support team
• Contact members via knowledgeable personal service from the 40+ sales representative employed by our parent company, Nebraska Book
• Distribute a monthly newsletter to members and Vendor Partners
• Offer advertising vehicles, such as broadcast emails, newsletter inserts and mailing labels
• Provide for the financial stability to enable Connect2One to meet its goals

What we expect from our Vendor Partners:

• Satisfactory and customary service
• Cost savings to participating stores with guaranteed lowest prices as offered to any individual store, organization or entity in the college marketplace
• Annual reporting of member store activity in order to document sales and store savings
• Market development support to enable Connect2One to achieve our mutual goals

What goes into the decision making process?
Our endorsed program offerings are based upon the best interest of our members. Thus, there are significant factors in addition to price that are taken into careful consideration, including:

• Quality, price, value
• Minimum order quantities
• Freight and payment terms
• Customization capabilities and costs
• Appropriateness of products for the college market
• Product mix available from vendor
• Market support, co-op advertising, POS materials, packaging
• Sales representation
• Exhibiting at CAMEX
• Performance/reputation in the college market

We utilize the aggregate volume of all Connect2One store members to negotiate programs for all member stores regardless of individual store volume. Connect2One does not warehouse or invoice for merchandise delivered to its members.

The program selection process involves a full product line review, discussion of your company’s business practices and the completion of our RFP (Request for Proposal) packet. The relationship between Connect2One and a Vendor Partner is complete upon signed approval of a Vendor Partnership Market Development Plan.

For those manufacturers who exhibit at CAMEX but sell products primarily through distributor channels, marketing partnerships are now available with Connect2One. To explore the possibilities as a Connect2One Manufacturer Affiliate, contact one of our Program Directors listed below.

If you would like to explore the opportunities of working with Connect2One, please contact us at 1-800-563-9034. Our Program Directors will be happy to assist you.

Sincerely,

Mark Palmore
Executive Director

Connect2One
Program Directors

Michelle Johnson
mjohnson@connect2one.com

Apparel, hats, backpacks, insignia items, souvenirs and gifts. Music and entertainment, magazines, credit card processing. Code of Conduct.

Paula Haerr
phaerr@connect2one.com

School, office, and art supplies, technology products, electronics, gifts, convenience stores, books, store services

Connect2One
4350 Glendale-Milford Rd, Suite 240
Cincinnati, OH 45242
Phone: 1-513-754-0111
Fax: 1-513-754-0110
info@connect2one.com

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