LPG, Walter Morris And Showrooms:
A Trifecta For Success!

Since joining Luxury Products Group (LPG) as a vendor supplier in 2009, Peter Ollestad’s longstanding aspiration has been to foster greater unity within the group, ensuring genuine collaboration.

Now that Ollestad serves as LPG’s director of business development, he has the ability to help organize educational and networking events for the benefit of LPG members. LPG recently partnered with Walter Morris for the inaugural event, held on June 25. The event marked a significant milestone for LPG, gathering 25 influential designers alongside suppliers and showroom representatives. The day was dedicated to collaborative learning, trend sharing and in-depth discussions on product styles within the industry.

The event featured a comprehensive agenda that included informative sessions led by manufacturers, providing attendees with valuable insights into the latest innovations and market trends. Attendees also enjoyed a networking lunch onsite and later gathered for afternoon refreshments at a local restaurant, fostering a relaxed and conducive environment for professional exchange.

Ollestad said the enthusiasm was exhilarating. “Bringing together kitchen and bath showroom designers, the Walter Morris sales agency and leading manufacturers was a fantastic way to initiate collaboration and engagement within LPG.”

At the event’s outset, Ollestad and Scott Chiras from Walter Morris Company welcomed participants with opening remarks, setting the tone for a day filled with enriching educational opportunities. Educational sessions were conducted by eight representatives from five product lines, representing prestigious brands such as Basco Shower Enclosures, Blanco, Isenberg, MTI and Strasser. The event drew attendees from across the country, including states as far-reaching as Washington, Oregon, Colorado and Ohio, underscoring its national significance.

“This event was something of a brainchild for me, perfectly executed with Walter Morris showcasing the diverse range of products represented by many LPG companies,” Ollestad said. “Our goal now is to replicate this success in other regions, expanding beyond our annual show to create more intimate gatherings that foster collaboration among salespeople, agencies and individual representatives under the LPG umbrella. We envision these events becoming a hallmark of regional unity and growth within our industry.”

As a new LPG vendor, the event served as a perfect opportunity for Isenberg Faucets to share its showroom-friendly go-to-market strategy and to demonstrate its product quality and best-in-class website with more than two dozen loyal LPG members. “The uninterrupted, focused time at the Walter Morris Company and the social time at Bar Louie were the perfect combination to build comfortable connections,” Jeff Bierman, vice president of sales for Isenberg Faucets, said.

Bierman added that this event provided Isenberg Faucets with the opportunity to initiate business relationships with the showroom directors and managers with key northeast organizations affiliated with LPG. “This is an invaluable step toward earning a spot in their showrooms,” he said.

Melissa Rasico, national showroom manager, Winsupply, said, “Getting all the local showrooms together is a great way to promote working together and confirming all information is consistent in its delivery. Comradery is everything!”

Rasico said this event was beneficial for attendees/showroom consultants as the information that was given is invaluable and allows each consultant to touch products and feel the story to help them all sell.

“Our northeast showrooms are lucky to have a great rep like Walter Morris who engages everyone. The training was such a success because the showrooms respect and welcome their support,” Rasico said. “Having the interactions between LPG, Walter Morris and the showrooms makes a trifecta for success!”