JACKSONVILLE, N.C. (Dec. 10, 2002) — If golf is the traditional business networking game, wholesaler Target Tire Inc. is giving pheasant hunting a run for its money.
Jacksonville-based Target took about 30 dealers and others on a hunting trip Oct. 18-22 to South Dakota. The excursion was part of a series of relationship-building events Target has been hosting for about five years, said President Howard Stein.
“The hunting is wonderful, the food is good,” he said. “It's an opportunity for us to entertain our customers.”
Other events include a trade show in January with celebrities including Pete Rose, a March trip to Paris for about 200 of Target's closest friends and a trip for 50 to Alaska for prime fishing.
Mr. Stein said the trips can get expensive, but he expects them to pay off in the long run.
“The dealers have responded very favorably to the idea of doing these,” he said.
With 10 locations in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia, Target Tire is a member of the American Car Care Centers Inc. marketing group. It distributes primarily Bridgestone, Firestone, Hankook, Cooper and Michelin Americas Small Tires (MAST) brands. Through its Buffalo Tire unit, Target also owns and operates 14 retail stores.