IAI attends NeoCon 2023 in Chicago, June 12-14

From June 12-14, Institutional Associates, Inc. President and CEO Peter J. Gebhardt made the trip from Atlanta to Chicago to attend the one of the industries biggest shows, NeoCon.

NeoCon has served as the world’s leading platform and most important event of the year for the commercial design industry since 1969. A launch pad for innovation—NeoCon offers ideas and introductions that shape the built environment today and into the future.  

Launching over 1 million square feet of exhibition space, it works on having ongoing new products where the entire spectrum of vertical markets is covered. You can find anything from Workplace, Health care, Hospitality, Retail, Education and much more. If you are looking for any specific products for any interior need, you can also find it.

Gebhardt met with key manufacturers, as well as dealers, suppliers and other industry friends while in the Windy City, and looks forward to the next year.

COE Distributing honors Institutional Associates, Inc. for multiple achievements during company’s annual sales meeting.

For a record fifth-straight year, Pennsylvania’ office furniture giant celebrates Atlanta-headquartered rep group with Manufacturers Rep Group of the Year awards.

SMOCK, Pa. - For over half a decade now, Institutional Associates, Inc has been one partner that COE can always turn to when looking for sales results. And the numbers don’t lie. That’s because year after year after year after year after year, Institutional Associates has seen its name engraved on COE’s Manufacturer’s Rep Group of the Year trophies awarded during the company’s annual national sales meeting in Smock, Pennsylvania. This year IAI won top honors based on Top Overall Sales Dollar Volume as well as for Top Catalog Sales.

IAI president and CEO, Peter J. Gebhardt accepted the awards on behalf of his organization. “Honestly this type of recognition never gets old,” Gebhardt said. “The team at Institutional Associates understands how important our relationships are with the people at COE and, ultimately, the dealers and end-users who trust this great company.” 

The year’s meeting, held at the picturesque Nemacolin Resort, drew COE employees, associated manufacturers, key partners and other rep groups from across the country. The award identifies those manufacturers representative groups that led in top sales volume for the company. 

James D. Ewing Jr., a founding member as well as CEO/Chairman of COE Distributing, recognized IAI with the award. He stressed not only the importance of partners like IAI, but also other rep groups in service to COE. 

“There is no question why we trust IAI with our business and these results year after year only reinforce it, “ Ewing said. “Combining their sales team with the value proposition that COE and the OfficeSource brand offer the industry, it continues to be a recipe for success. I’m excited to see how this partnership will continue to evolve and what lies in store going forward.” 

About COE 

COE Distributing is one of the nation's largest office furnishings suppliers, serving customers throughout the United States and the Caribbean from its headquarters near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and additional distribution centers in Charlotte, North Carolina, and Houston, Texas.

COE's culture plays as big a role in the company's success as its quality products. A wide array of employee engagement and training programs at COE develop leaders at all levels of the organization, enabling the business to scale quickly to meet emerging demands. Chairman and CEO J.D. Ewing's emphasis on the company's core values of Customer Service, Teamwork, Quality, Transparency, Safety, Innovation and Respect increase satisfaction and cultivate positive interactions among team members and client

About IAI 

For over 50 years, Institutional Associates, Inc. and the IAI Group have been specializing in the sales and service of office supplies, furniture and machines to business end-users through its dealers. 

IAI adds Mergeworks and Sunline to robust manufacturer list

ATLANTA, Ga — It’s been a busy Fall for Institutional Associates. That’s because the company has added two new lines to its impressive list of manufacturers. First, workspace efficiency experts MergeWorks has tapped Peter J. Gebhardt and team to represent them. They will be helping dealers with order on products ranging from desk dividers to mobile walls and whiteboards, to a variety of acoustic solutions.

”MergeWorks is a great opportunity for us,” Gebhardt said in a statement. “We’re really excited to rep them and witness the impact they’ll have on the industry as they affect this ‘new work’ space.”

Additionally, Sunline Office is now on the IAI list as well. Sunline, the leading manufacturer of the revolutionary Sunline Sliding Cubicle System, has entered an agreement with Institutional Associates that will help them reach dealers seeking more customizable workspace solutions.

”Sunline’s Sliding Cubicle System really is an impressive product,” Gebhardt reiterated. “I’ve worked in this industry for long enough to see a few of these systems come and go. This one’s a keeper.”

MergeWorks provides the extras to make your workspace fully functional. Our products adapt and merge with any environment to improve space, sound and efficiency. Our products range from desk dividers to mobile walls and whiteboards, to a variety of acoustic solutions. For more, visit mergeworks.com

Sunline Office is the leading manufacturer of the revolutionary Sunline Sliding Cubicle System, which allows for complete workspace flexibility, functionality, and customization – from cubicle wall height, to accent color, and even custom panel printing. With the ability to be assembled, disassembled, and then reconfigured within hours, our workstations are the absolute best in flexible office systems. For more, visit sunlineoffice.com

IAI Recognized for FOURTH Year in a Row. Gebhardt, receives special service honor.

COE awards Institutional Associates, Inc. for top sales volume for fourth straight year, Gebhardt recognized for overall service. Since 2018, Atlanta-headquartered company has won Manufacturers Rep Group of the Year by Pennsylvania office furniture powerhouse as IAI’s CEO takes home commemorative service award.

FARMINGTON, Pa. - Despite the challenges of doing business during a weary, second year of a global pandemic, the office furniture industry still saw slow growth in 2021 as more and more people returned to work in person. And, just like the past four years, COE Distributing, Office Furniture Distributor awarded Institutional Associates, Inc. the vaunted Manufacturers Rep Group of the Year award. The award identifies those manufacturers representative groups that led in top sales volume for the company.

However one thing was, in fact, new this year. That’s because Peter J. Gebhardt, IAI’s President and CEO garnered his first Golden Service Award for 10 years of service to COE. Leading IAI since the mid-80’s, Mr. Gebhardt first started representing COE back in 2011.

Returning to the Nemacolin Woodlands resort where the national sales meeting had been held for years prior to last year’s virtual-only exception, this year’s event featured Mr. Gebhardt, IAI staff and its reps from the three Southeastern states, Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. The 4-day meeting was hosted by COE employees and staff. Manufacturers, key partners and other rep groups from across the country also were assembled.

“I’m thrilled that COE has recognized us once again for what we’ve doing for their business,” Gebhardt said in a statement. “There’s no question they’re doing things differently as the industry, and the world, begins to rebound from the effects of this pandemic.”

Mike Flaherty, President and COO and Scott Nichols, Vice President of Sales made the announcements about both the top sales volume and the service award during the Thursday night award presentation.

James D. Ewing Jr., chairman and CEO remarked on the IAI Group.

“It continues to be impressive just how IAI is committed to COE Distributing and the OfficeSource brand,” Ewing said. “Achieving top sales volume for a fourth year in a row proves just that. It’s certainly no easy task, especially in light of the pandemic. We congratulate Pete, and his team and are happy to recognize them collectively and individually as integral partners for us.”

About COE

COE Office Furniture Distributor is known for its fabulous selection of wholesale office furniture. Specializing in forward thinking products for today’s work environments. From the high-end executive office to a small office tucked in the corner of a home, COE has a solution and most importantly a price to meet any budget.

About IAI

For over 50 years, Institutional Associates, Inc. (the IAI Group) has been specializing in the sales and service of office furniture, supplies and machines to business end-users through its dealers.

THREE-PETE - IAI wins COE's top sales volume trophy for third year straight.

Thanks to the global pandemic, things were quite different for the office furniture industry in 2020. However, one thing remained the same — Institutional Associates, Inc.’s name engraved on COE’s esteemed Manufacturers Rep Group of the Year award. For the third straight year, Atlanta-headquartered company named Manufacturers Rep Group of the Year by Pennsylvania office furniture powerhouse.

During COE’s national sales meeting held virtually, IAI president and CEO, Peter J. Gebhardt accepted the award on behalf of his organization. The meeting was attended by COE employees, manufacturers, key partners and rep groups from across the United States. The award identifies those manufacturers representative groups that led in top sales volume for the company.

“What an honor it is to again gain this recognition from a company like COE,” Gebhardt said in a statement. “Despite such a challenging year, we’re proud to have been able to serve them as well as the greater office furniture industry.”

Stan Idzi, senior vice president of sales and merchandising made the announcement during the Thursday night award presentation.

James D. Ewing Jr., a founding member and president and CEO of COE Office Furniture Distributor, complimented the IAI Group.

“Winning this award for the third consecutive year , shows us IAI’s commitment to COE Distributing and the OfficeSource brand,” Ewing said. “There is no doubt about the strength of their sales team as well as the value proposition that COE and the OfficeSource brand have created across the industry. I’m eager to continue to work with Pete and his team, as well as to see what 2021 may hold.”

About COE

COE Office Furniture Distributor is known for its fabulous selection of wholesale office furniture. Specializing in forward thinking products for today’s work environments. From the high-end executive office to a small office tucked in the corner of a home, COE has a solution and most importantly a price to meet any budget.

About IAI

For over 50 years, Institutional Associates, Inc. and the IAI Group have been specializing in the sales and service of office supplies, furniture and machines to business end-users through its dealers.

COE recognizes Institutional Associates Once Again.

Atlanta-headquartered company named Manufacturers Rep Group of the Year for second year in a row.

FARMINGHAM, Pa - After leading all other manufacturers representative groups in sales for the second consecutive year, James D. Ewing Jr., a founding member and president and CEO of COE Office Furniture Distributor, handed a unique pyramid-shaped award to Peter J. Gebhardt, president and CEO of Institutional Associates, Inc. in recognition of being named Manufacturers Rep Group of the Year in 2019. IAI won the same award in 2018.  

“We’re incredibly proud to represent a company like COE every day,” Gebhardt said in a statement. “They’re truly an innovator in the office furniture world and we’re honored to be recognized once again this year.”

The ceremony took place during COE’s national sales meeting during the week of December 9, 2019 at the beautiful Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in Farmington, Pennsylvania. COE’s sales meeting was attended by COE employees, manufacturers, key partners and rep groups from across the United States.

“IAI continues to be a great sales partner for COE Distributing and the OfficeSource brand,” COE’s Ewing wrote in a statement. “Capturing the top sales volume award for the second consecutive year clearly demonstrates the strength of their entire sales team and the value proposition COE and the OfficeSource brand have created in the office furniture industry. I look forward to working with Pete and his team to achieve further success in 2020.”

About COE

COE Office Furniture Distributor is known for its fabulous selection of wholesale office furniture. Specializing in forward thinking products for today’s work environments. From the high-end executive office to a small office tucked in the corner of a home, COE has a solution and most importantly a price to meet any budget.

About IAI

For over 50 years, Institutional Associates, Inc. and the IAI Group have been specializing in the sales and service of office supplies, furniture and machines to business end-users through its dealers. 

IAI attends BSA Annual Forum

Gebhardt represents the company in key industry event

It was full steam ahead in Minneapolis earlier this September when CEO and President Peter J. Gebhardt attended the 2019 Business Solutions Association Annual Meeting at The Depot, Renaissance Minneapolis hotel. 

“This was a truly world-act event and highly-specialized for our industry,” Gebhardt said. “I met really great people, learned quite a bit and opened some great avenues for industry discussions going forward.”  

The two-day event was deemed a massive success as the Forum showcased the development of strategic and synergistic solutions to enhance the sale and distribution of business related products and services like never before.

About BSA

BSA strives to develop high industry standards, best practices and technological advances to promote the growth and success of its members through networking, education and innovative ideas. 

IAI takes on Chicago, successful time at NeoCon

CHICAGO, IL — IAI president and CEO, Peter J. Gebhardt recently attended the 2019 NeoCon convention in Chicago, Illinois.

While working the floor of the Mart in Chicago, Pete continued to develop and foster relationships with key office furniture dealers at the world's leading platform and most important event of the year for the commercial design industry.

COE Award presented to Institutional Associates, Inc. for 2018 Top Sales

(DECEMBER 11, 2018) -  On December 11 at COE Distributing’s national sales meeting, Institutional Associates, Incorporated (IAI) was celebrated for earning the highest volume of sales in 2018.

Stan Idzi, senior vice president of sales and merchandise for COE gave the award to IAI president and chief executive officer, Peter J. Gebhardt. The ceremony capped off a strong performance for year for the Atlanta-based office furniture rep group.

Joining Mr. Idzi and Mr. Gebhardt, IAI’s Joyce Pellegrini, Carrie Brown, Carlos Gonzalez, Tamela Byrd and Melanie McDonald and COE’s president and CEO J.D. Ewing were all onhand.

The two companies have enjoyed great success together over the past several years.