CES Philadelphia North East: Electrical Supplier Grand Opening Re-Connects Community
The grand opening of a new electrical supplier in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, invited customers and vendors to come together and celebrate. Branch Manager Nate Gonzalez and District Manager Chip Krawiec detailed the success of the event.
A Full House for CES Philadelphia
“We went a year and a half without vendors meeting with customers and showing new products at the branch level,” said Krawiec. “I helped the local branches organize a trade show circuit to bring back that local promotion. City Electric Supply Philadelphia North East was both the final stop and the best of those events.”
Over 100 people attended, creating a full-house atmosphere for the electrical supplier in Philadelphia.
Gonzalez, who has been with CES since the fall of 2019, had a considerable following of customers who visited. He also happily reported meeting at least several new local faces who have continued to come into the store since.
“The day was a blur. It was the first time Co-COO John Gray, Controller David Rosso, and Vice President of Operations Jaime Marujo had seen the location set up and ready. We were still open for business and making sales as well,” said Gonzalez.
Gonzalez catered through local barbecue restaurant Sweet Lucy’s Smokehouse and sandwich shop PrimoHoagies. Krawiec mentioned that it’s always a good sign when there are hardly any leftovers.
Vendors included Generac, Milwaukee Tool, TAMCO, Klein Tools, Keystone, and Lutron. Pollart Electrical Sales, Synergy Electrical Sales, Kunz-Powell & Associates, Biben Sales, and Locust Electrical Sales also participated.
This Electrical Supplier had Games and Prizes, Too
CES Philadelphia North East raffled over 45 items donated by vendors and CES itself. Top prizes included four Generac 3,000-watt inverter generators, retailing at approximately $1,000 each. Attendees also won surge suppressors retailing at $100 each and Carhartt hoodies.
The grand opening’s raffles raised hundreds of dollars for the Make-A-Wish foundation, for a total of nearly $2,000 throughout the district in just a few months.
IDEAL Electrical, a manufacturer of tools for the electrical trade, also held an Elite Tradesman National Championship qualifier. In this competition, electricians across the US compete in various challenges to win up to $60,000.
Attendees excitedly watched competitors wire a three-way switch in under two-and-a-half minutes with only the tools and products provided. “Participants in the IDEAL competition really wanted to show off how good they were doing,” said Gonzalez.
Both Gonzalez and Krawiec felt the day was more successful than hoped. “When an event goes as well as this one, it’s a huge relief. Customers stayed and hung out, interacting with our vendors, and to me, that’s what it’s all about,” said Krawiec.
He continued, “Thanks to John, David, and Jaime for attending and showing their support. I also want to thank Generac, which generously donated toward tents so that everyone stayed comfortable outdoors.”
Looking ahead, Gonzalez expressed excitement about new upcoming partnerships and opportunities. It seems CES Philadelphia North East already has a positive reputation and many potential avenues to service the community.
