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Seattle, WA – June 5, 2007 - The EDGE Distributors Group -- a rapidly-growing service-oriented group of 14 independently owned regional distributors catering primarily to dealers comprised of custom install and residential systems integrators, reached more than 850 dealers with their recent Planar and Furman Sound road show and Dallas, Texas-based Consumer Electronics Expo.

Planar and Furman Sound product road show
Between January and March 2007, Planar Specialty Home Theater Displays and Furman Sound conducted a national product road show with The EDGE Group in Texas, New York, California, Maryland, Georgia, Oregon, Florida, Washington, Indiana, Illinois, Colorado, Missouri and Massachusetts. According to Katye Schmoldt, Director of The EDGE Group, in total more than 450 dealers were trained.

Planar used the events to present custom integrators with their new Specialty Home Theater Projectors, ambient-light-rejection Xscreen and Full 1080p Thin Displays. The company’s sales managers educated integrators on the different types of flat and projection display technologies; projector installation; optimizing integration; solutions for complicated installs; product positioning and partner business proposition.

AC power management products manufacturer Furman Sound addressed the fundamentals of AC power contaminations covering such issues as hum inducing AC ground loops, video hum bars, static bursts, damage from AC line surges, and variable audio and video performance.

The last training session of the tour, which yielded an attendance of 50 local area dealers, was held at the Sheraton 4 Points Hotel, in Norwood, MA, where it was hosted by Necessities, EDGE’s New England member.

Christian Dehlinger of Christians Audio Video, an audio / video integration company based in Rockland, ME, attended the Planar and Furman Sound training event saying, “Our customers rely on us to deliver the best possible solutions for their home and appreciate knowing why we choose to recommend one particular brand versus another for their specific application. The EDGE Group’s Planar and Furman Sound training sessions were successful in illustrating to us just how each manufacturer’s products readily accept the vigorous demands of today’s day-in and day-out use to deliver the utmost in performance and reliability.”

Consumer Electronics Expo 2007
Sponsored by Texas EDGE-member Electronic Lane along with Sunbelt Associates & Distributing and Southwest Electronix, the Consumer Electronics Expo 2007 was held March 31st – April 1, 2007 at the Marriott Quorum Dallas Hotel in Dallas, TX.

An exhibition of the newest innovations and top brands from over 50 leading manufacturers of home and mobile electronics products, the event offered dealers more than 3 full days of information-critical seminars and product training sessions. According to Schmoldt, the event yielded an impressive turnout, with an attendance by more than 400 dealers.

Diversions included a Casino night, with proceeds going to the Susan G. Komen for The Cure Foundation, a global leader in the fight against breast cancer through innovative research and community-based outreach programs. A number of prizes were given away to attendees, including two grand prizes of mini chopper motorcycles.

“We are very proud of the Consumer Electronics Expo,” says Woody Taylor, Electronic Lane’s Executive Vice President. “In addition to the training events, we had informal gatherings in distributor-sponsored suites which proved to be a great forum for dealers and manufacturers to exchange information and learn from each other. The Consumer Electronics Expo perfectly demonstrates The EDGE Group and its partnerships coming together through this event to help advance our industry, to which we all benefit.”

"Of the continued EDGE Group educational efforts, Schmoldt says, "We reached over 850 dealers with these two initiatives alone. As custom distributors, we recognize that our most valuable products are technical expertise and training. Giving dealers the competitive advantage they need is our #1 priority and these events exemplify our commitment to our dealer’s success."

Summer road shows with NEC, Planar and Sencore
Beginning June, EDGE will be kicking-off a road show in select territories with NEC, Planar and Sencore. NEC will be showcasing their new high-end, high-resolution Multeos LCD line and Planar will showcase their new LCD TV line. Sencore will offer their Level II video calibration program, led by Sales and Merchandising Manager Jeff Murray. According to Schmoldt, the members of The EDGE Group will also be conducting their own individual training events this summer. Dealers can obtain more information about the many events and dates by visiting www.edgegroup.org

About The EDGE Distributors Group
Founded in 1999, The EDGE Distributors Group™ consists of 14 independently owned regional distributors that primarily serve the premium U.S. custom installation market and select retailers. EDGE partners sell and support products aimed at residential value-added installers and specialty retailers. They encourage growth by their members and customers alike by carefully evaluating, then bringing to market the finest installation products available — emphasizing those that are reliable, innovative and exciting. EDGE members also highly value personal attention, and no dealer is ever treated as just a number. Product lines EDGE distributes and supports include Channel Vision™, DLO, Furman Sound, Gefen, ICM/F-Conn Industries, NEC, NuVision™,
Peerless Industries®, Pinnacle Speakers, Planar, Sanus Systems, Sheer Wire, Xantech, ViewSonic® and VizionWare.
The EDGE Distributors Group / 17837 1st Ave. S #7 / Normandy Park, WA 98148 / Phone: 866.396.6531 / Fax: 888.651.9941 / Internet: www.edgegroup.org