Samsung 2008 – a vendor show to remember
June 10th, 2008 by Murray Huppin
I have just returned from “The Big Easy”, where Samsung held their 2008 key dealer show. The three days spent in New Orleans truly stand out amongst all of these types of events I have attended over the years.
Our dealer meetings were held at our hotel, the Royal Sonesta, right on Bourbon Street, where I know we did our part to boost the economy 
. I even managed to have lunch at one of my favorite restaurants anywhere, Petunia’s, where the gumbo and crepes are indescribably delicious.
Samsung’s theme for this year is “Leadership in Action” and the team at Samsung demonstrated that plan in so many ways. In addition to the extraordinary new line of ToC LCD and Plasma HDTVs, official NFL sponsorship and innovative marketing programs revealed to us – all of which are fantastic – together, we experienced this initiative in the community.
For many years, Samsung has sponsored the Four Seasons of Hope charity as a way to give back and say thank you for the support its customers have shown. In that spirit, Samsung has partnered with the Make it Right foundation to help rebuild New Orleans.
Our group was taken on a bus tour around Jackson Square, past Café Du Monde (where I later went back for an order of their famous beignets), through the neighborhoods down to the Lower 9th ward, essentially the ground zero of Hurricane Katrina. There (and along the way), we saw the devastation that still plagues this great city. The uninhabitable homes marked TFW (Toxic Flood Water). The dates written on homes to indicate when the authorities inspected them. As well as numbers to indicate the remains found of those who lost their lives.
We also saw hope for the future, as the foundation has funded over 80 of the 150 homes it intends to build. In that spirit, Samsung and its dealers presented a check for $75,000 (about the cost to build one home) to help towards that effort. And there will certainly be more to come. Though an infinitely small gesture in the totality of such destruction, I believe all in attendance were glad to have this opportunity to make a difference in the lives of at least one family.
Tim Baxter, EVP Sales & Marketing CE Division, presenting check to Tom Darden, Director of the Make It Right Foundation.
Thanks for listening.
