For the first time since 2019, Princeton, New Jersey-based sleep products manufacturer and licensing group Therapedic International gathered 45 people for an in-person meeting Jan. 25-26 in Las Vegas that included members of the media and 40 individuals representing 17 of the company’s licensed partners.
In addition to domestic licensees, owners and representatives, there were attendees from six of Therapedic’s international locations — Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Taiwan and Trinidad.
Notably, this was also Therapedic’s first licensee meeting since the death of Norman Rosenblatt in August 2023. Rosenblatt had served as chair of Therapedic’s board for more than 20 years. Therapedic President and CEO Gerry Borreggine opened the meeting with an invocation and a moment of silence dedicated to Rosenblatt.
“Norman lived a life to be celebrated, not mourned. He had a great life, a great family, and a healthy, happy, loving wife. He was instrumental in building this brand,” Borreggine said.
After reflecting on the past, a lineup of internal and external speakers reaffirmed the brand’s place in the present.
Toby Konetzny, CEO of South Bay International, joined the meeting to reveal a collaboration on adjustable bases between the two companies. Next, Jeff Chilton and John Beliveau of Austin Currier Home (Therapedic’s newest licensee) previewed new top-of-bed products that will be available to Therapedic licensees for their dealers. Susan Mathes, vice president of brand relations for Therapedic, also looked to the future, discussing the company’s current and planned digital marketing efforts and the tools it provides its licensees.
International licensees Georgia Dimitrakis, regional brand manager for Grupo Diveco in Guatemala; María Zuzuárregui, vice president of marketing and product development for Therapedic Mexico; and Jeffri Massie, president director of Massindo Group in Indonesia, showcased how they promote Therapedic products in their countries, including product, packaging and advertising campaigns. To cap off the presentations, Ryan Trainer, president of the International Sleep Products Association and Mattress Recycling Council, gave a state-of-the-industry update.
Licensees then visited Therapedic’s showroom to preview new products ahead of the Las Vegas Market, which was Jan. 28-Feb. 1. Treasure Tannery, director of design product development for Therapedic, and Darren Sodikoff, VP of sales and marketing for The Bedding Group, showcased Therapedic’s newest collection, Nyx, a four-model line of all-natural and organic luxury mattresses inspired by the Greek goddess of the night (more on page 30). Therapedic also highlighted its Agility collection, refreshed TheraLuxe and Medicoil heavy-duty lines, and the tropical-inspired Tommy Bahama collection.
Although there was plenty of business, there was time for socializing, too. The night before the meeting, the group enjoyed dinner on the Lake of Dreams at Lakeside inside the Wynn Las Vegas. After the group meeting, attendees closed out the day at Topgolf, where they played rounds of the game and relaxed while enjoying sweeping views of the Las Vegas Strip.
“Covid has changed so much about doing business; our international meeting was one of the things that was impacted by it. There is no Zoom call or conference call that can replace the physical intimacy of meeting face-to-face,” Borreggine said. “Just being in the same room and talking about the common bonds that tie us together was a shot in the arm to all our members in attendance. It wasn’t only a productive time, it was a good time, too. And everyone enjoyed that.”
