FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

2022 SESSIONS

VDTA•SDTA
SESSION PRESENTERS & SCHEDULE
2022 KEYNOTE


Bob Negen, co-founder of WhizBang! Retail Training, is a professional retail speaker, consultant, business coach, and author.
Bob motivates and trains independent retailers to improve and grow their businesses with practical, actionable tactics and strategies. He speaks to business owners in their own language using real-world retail experience and humorous stories from the trenches.

2022 PANEL MODERATORS
Floorcare
Panel

PowerHouse
Panel

Central Vacuum Panel


2022 PRESENTERS

Alex Anderson: is first and foremost a Quilter! Decorated with accolades, this decades long quilter has been named one of the most influential Quilting Educators in 2009. She was a host of Simply Quilts on HGTV for eleven years.
Alex is the author of 30 books in four languages selling nearly 1 million copies globally. Her quilts and instruction tips have also appeared in numerous magazines.
In 2014 Alex worked with RNK’s Kay Brooks with an idea to make sewing more accessible and fun for everyone! This product line is now one of the most sought after in the world.

Bob Negen, co-founder of WhizBang! Retail Training, is a professional retail speaker, consultant, business coach, and author. Bob motivates and trains independent retailers to improve and grow their businesses with practical, actionable tactics and strategies. He speaks to business owners in their own language using real-world retail experience and humorous stories from the trenches.

Chris has bootstrapped multiple businesses, been awarded industry-leading sales awards, acquired competitors, sold businesses, built online businesses, achieved degrees in business, economics, management, business systems, ran teams of managers, and MORE! He is here to help you and have a TON OF FUN along the way!

Chris Slackford has been active in the central vac industry since 2003. He is H-P's International Sales Manager and manages key U.S. dealer accounts as well. He assists in product development and engineering and provides technical training to H-P's distributors. He has a degree in electrical engineering from Stark State College of Technology and attended Malone University's Management Program.

Christopher Nash has been in the floorcare industry 27 years. He started in a vacuum cleaner store at age 14. Even during his college years, he could be found refurbishing vacuum cleaners out of his dorm room. He purchased his first retail vacuum and sewing store in 2010. He has since expanded his holdings to include three retail vacuum and sewing stores, a central vacuum company, among other ventures. Christopher is passionate about providing superior service. He is knowledgeable about scaling, expansion, acquisition and marketing stores to create a positive consumer experience.

Cory L. Hankins has always been a passionate entrepreneur. Cory holds a BA in business from Arizona State University & an undergraduate in psychology. He has traveled many places over the years and has an extravagant photo collection as he enjoys photography as much as he does travel. Mr. Hankins has a full background of business ethics and accomplishments. He was responsible for the successful openings of 7 southeastern businesses. He has been published in many established publications, including the New York Times, The Arizona Republic, and The Greensboro News and Record . Cory is the managing partner of Hankins Holdings LLC.

Danielle Mulvey is a former flight attendant turned $50M+ in annual revenue entrepreneur who has cracked the code on how to profitably scale multiple businesses. Danielle is the host of Profit First Nation, the official podcast for Profit First and ranked in the top 3% of all podcasts. While also helping inspiring entrepreneurs when she is not working on her own ventures. Additionally, Danielle and Profit First's author, Mike Michalowicz, are launching "ALL IN," a new program in the fall of 2021 to help small business owners leverage the power of having your employees act like owners.

David began selling Kirby Vacuums door to door in 1988. He has trained over 1,000 other dealers and has sold over 2500 kirby's personally. After nearly 20 years, David purchased a Vacuum repair center, and over the past 11 years have grown the business tremendously, in addition to adding another store.

Debbie Homer, RNK Distributing, has become known for her love for sewing, quilting and embroidery. Debbie started sewing as a child raised in rural Idaho. Her childhood on the farm was the perfect setting for her introduction to a variety of sewing techniques. She not only sewed most everything she wore, but learned all facets of "Home Decorating, quilting and embroidery." For some this would have been out of necessity but for Debbie, it became her passion. Life took Debbie through a series of successful professions while she raised her three children but she has now returned to her first love and made it her ultimate dream career of teaching sewing, quilting and embroidery.

With over 45 years experience in the central vacuum industry and hundreds of seminars over the last 40 years, Grant brings a unique perspective as a dealer, installer, marketer, manufacturer, and lover of all things central vacuum. As President of MD Manufacturing he has experienced all aspects of the industry mainly because of thousands of dealers who have shared their knowledge with him. His no-nonsense seminars eliminate the fluff to help you grow your business.

Greg Calderone began his career with H-P Products in 1999 and has served as Tubular Products Engineering Manager, Floorcare Sales Manager, Floorcare Assistant General Manager, and currently is the Vice President and General Manager of the Central
Vacuums division, a role he has held since 2005. Greg received a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Youngstown State University.

Heather has an extensive background in customer service and graphic design. Over her career she has worked for retail stores, newspapers, as the VDTA-SDTA Art Director, and for her family's stained glass store. Heather enjoys working with people and businesses and is looking forward to helping you with all your membership needs.

Hope began her career working in insurance and IT. She joined the family vacuum business, A-1 Vacuum of Lexington, in 2016 and became a co-owner in 2018. The company has grown every year since. Hope wants each of her customers to have a great store experience and feels that merchandising is one of the critical skills that contribute to this experience. She loves finding unique products which delight her customers. Hope is passionate about sewing/quilting/embroidery and plans to add a sewing side to A-1 in the near future.

Howard Anderson has been an entrepreneur since graduating from high school. In 1979 he started in the central vacuum business and in a short time grew it to be one of the largest CVS companies on the east coast. In 1985 he opened up his first sewing and vacuum retail store, Stony Brook Sew & Vac, and grew that to seven locations over the next few years. He has won many industry awards in the industry throughout the years.
Presently Howard and his wife Elizabeth operate one thriving Super Store in Bordentown New Jersey.

Jennifer Gigas comes to RNK Distributing with over 20 years of industry experience. Her love of all things creative started at a very young age and has continued to be an integral part of her life. She started her career as a free-lance educator and creator of children’s wear and has only continued upward.
In Jennifer’s most current role as Managing Director for one of the leading multi-line, multi-location sewing machine retailers in the country, she has broadened her expertise. Coinciding with a move to be close to family, Jennifer is delighted to join the RNK Distributing team in April.

Jim is an independent designer/instructor who's travels in educating has taken him all over the US, Canada, and Australia. Jim has been featured in several industry magazines, books as well as on several television programs, ("America Sews," "It's Sew Easy" and Canada's live national morning program "The Big Breakfast Show"). Known for his unique digitizing/designs as well as celebrity fashionabl celebrity knock-offs, he can often be found on tour with the "Original Sewing and Quilt Expo."

Josh has been involved in growing businesses online for over a decade, he has spent the last 6 years helping sewing and vacuum dealers deal with an ever changing market with great success.

Judy has more than 30 years of experience working in the Sewing Industry. As a former Corporate Educator, Event Coordinator, and Retail Store Manager, and a small business owner herself, Judy has a well-rounded understanding of the Sewing Industry.Judy’s passion for all things sewing started in southern California in 1961 when her Grandmother gave Judy her first sewing machine. More than 50 years later, Judy thrives on sharing the sewing bug at locations across the United States!

Judy Kessinger started her career traveling nationwide holding seminars for Hancock Fabrics for over 25 years. She also designed costumes for national and international figure skaters and created a fast and easy way to conquer fitting problems for that field. Judy’s next goal was to make stress-free sewing with simple solutions for fitting. Her personal style included many relaxed, comfortable but well fitted outfits.

Kay Brooks is the co-founder and product development manager of RNK Distributing She became known for her passion for the industry years ago. Kay has developed an entire line of exclusive products for sewers, quilters, and embroiderers of all skill levels to help make them more successful. Before co-founding RNK she co-owned a sewing machine retail business. As co-owner she was also responsible for developing one of the most extensive educational programs offered to sewers and hobbyists in any local market. Her expertise in the Sewing Industry has helped hundreds in the industry reach their potential.

Kim Niedzwicki

Martha Campbell Pullen, Ph.D. absolutely loves VDTA!! She loves teaching for TV, Martha’s Sewing Room (PBS-17 years), writing (70 books to date), publishing Sew Beautiful magazine (24 years), teaching sewing, hosting events worldwide, writing newsletters, leading Christian conferences, and now Facebook! Her NEW business is Rockstar Sewing, by Martha Campbell Pullen, Ph. D. ™ teaching on-line classes! Martha is a BERNINA ambassador and thrilled to be joining the company who made her famous in the sewing industry in 1983!

Pam learned early in life, while spending time on her grandparents’ farm, that making something from "scratch" was not only a way of life but it was the better way of doing things. The author of 10 sewing books, numerous patterns and videos, Pam lives on Lake Champlain in a log home, where she teaches sewing retreats, and does virtual training.

Paula RNK Distributing Embellish Educator. Paula has a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Textiles from the Louisville School of Art/University of Louisville in KY. She has made appearances on TV with Martha Pullen and taught numerous consumers nationally and internationally. Paula has also been a featured speaker for the Sewing Machine Dealers at their National Conventions. Her expertise, along with a relaxed personality makes her classes fun, informative, and to the point.

Ray began selling Necchi sewing machines in homes in 1969. Working for Allyn International over the years, he moved on to manage a department store operation, and from there wholesale operations to dealers. When Allyn closed the doors in 2011, Ray went out on his own, distributing Toyota machines. In 2020 the Necchi label was once again available and Ray picked it up, back where he began, with a well known brand.

Ricky opened his first Sewing Retail Store in Dyersburg, TN in 1976. Thirty-Six years later He and his wife (Kay) left the retail side of the industry and co-founded RNK Distributing. In 2013, Ricky was inducted into The Sewing Hall of Fame for his positive impacts on the industry. He has been deemed a Mentor, Teacher, Motivator and Inventor by Industry Leaders.

Rod Drivstuen is co-founder and president of Hide-A-Hose, Inc. established in 2003 and located in Monroe, WA. Hide-A-Hose manufactures the leading retractable central vacuum hose system, and has a network of over 400 dealers throughout the United States, Canada, and abroad.

Sebastian Rivera has worked and operated multiple divisions within Famore Cutlery for over 10 years. He runs and operates all social media accounts, website, brand marketing and much more. 6 years ago he noticed the immensely untapped cosplay market and has been working tirelessly making inroads within the community.

Tim is back by popular demand after a highly praised session at the 2021 show. Tim is a dynamic speaker who connects with even the largest audiences on an individual level to help them leverage modern marketing strategies and tools. Tim is the Director of Marketing & Corporate Communications for an Industry 4.0 Manufacturing Company and a six-time start up entrepreneur. He has coached hundreds of professionals and mentored dozens of small business owners through growth and expansion. Attendees can expect to leave Tim’s session with some real world tasks to begin improving their top line revenue.

Trevor Conquergood is the software manager for RNK Distributing. The only thing Trevor loves to do more than digitize embroidery designs is to talk about it! Sharing over 35 years of experience in the professional embroidery field Trevor is a master digitizer that loves to travel. Trevor will tell you he is an international man of Embroidery that calls Saskatoon Saskatchewan Canada Home. Trevor is the biggest embroidery enthusiast you will ever meet and he would love for you to visit.

Tyler Rhoton is the Sales Manager at Rain Retail Software. He graduated from BYU with a Bachelors degree and has over 10 years of managerial and sales experience. Tyler has also been the Customer Service Manager at Rain. He has spent the last 7 years helping businesses improve their online presence and performance. Rain specializes in providing a seamless marketing, point of sale, and website system for specialty retailers.

2022 SESSIONS

Cocktails and Connections: VDTA-SDTA Industry Party
Soleil Pool Deck at Paris Hotel! Join us for food, fun and cocktails poolside. Meet up with your industry peers, enjoy a memorable evening, and help kick-off the VDTA-SDTA trade show week in style! Fun food stations, a DJ spinning tunes, even a photo booth to capture you and your friends for the 2022 show! With some surprises in store too. This will definitely be a night to remember, under the lights of the Eiffel Tower. Note: You MUST have your badge to enter this event, as well as have registered for the Industry Party on the registration site.
April 19
7:00pm

RNK Event: What's New with Quilters Select
This class will include an unveiling of our newest and most PROFITABLE QS Product! With Judy Fredenburgh, Alex Anderson, Kay Brooks and Jennifer Gigas
April 19
10:00am-Noon

RNK Event: What's New with Embellish Maker Software
Join Trevor as he takes you through all the new features for Embellish Maker. Note: this class is open to Embellish dealers only.
April 19
1:00pm-2:00pm
