Daiwa honours sales reps at first meeting in two years

Nearly 100 Daiwa sales reps and staff from across the US and Canada were present at the tackle giant’s first in-person gathering for two years.

They attended the company‘s national sales meeting where selected reps were honoured with Daiwa’s coveted ‘Summit’ and ‘Key Objective’ awards.

“Having the people who represent the Daiwa brand to tackle dealers and anglers all across North America gather together with our corporate staff was a great opportunity for all involved after all their hard work through the pandemic,” said Gerad Cawhorn, Daiwa’s National Sales Manager.

“It was a special treat this year to honour our sales award recipients while we all got together to discuss and strategise our plans for Daiwa for the upcoming ICAST Show and beyond.”

Daiwa’s top honours – the Summit Awards – recognise both an individual sales rep and overall rep group based on achievements in total sales, strategy, fastest to market item plans and launches.

Sean Kunzer with Ferguson-Keller Associates, based in Buffalo, Minn., was honoured for his personal efforts with the Summit Outstanding Leadership award, while Rogers Sports Marketing, based in Norcross, Ga., earned the Summit top rep group recognition.

During the final night’s awards banquet, Cawhorn also recognised Graywood Sporting Group, which handles Daiwa’s efforts throughout Canada, with the 2021 Summit Leadership Award winner for overall rep group. The agency was not able to attend last year’s ICAST Show when Daiwa announced its rep awards.

Also recognised with ‘Key Objective’ awards for specific product category sales and faster to market efforts included Drake Hollander (Rogers Sports Marketing), Travis Ryan (Maschmedt & Associates), David O’Donnell (Maschmedt & Associates), Brad Olsen (Ferguson-Keller Associates), Cale Engelage (Marschmedt & Associates), Greg Mancini (Jones & Company) and Warren McRae (Graywood Sporting Group).

Daiwa also recognised Scott Dubiel (Rogers Sports Marketing) with its ‘Dealer Development Driver’ award and Greg McIntrye (Graywood Sporting Group) with the ‘Change Leader’ award.

Main picture: Carey Graves welcomes attendees to the Daiwa USA National Sales Meeting.