“What started a few years ago as an idea to explore has finally evolved into a tri-state partnership of which
we can all be proud.”  - Garry Adams, 1998 Tri-State Convention Chairman, President, Dittman-Adams Company

The joint convention of the industry associations from Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio was the vision of the leadership of the three states, with the first Tri-State Tobacco and Candy Distributors Convention held in 1998. Garry Adams was actively engaged in the associations of all three states and was part of the team that took the Tri-State Convention, now the Midwest Wholesale Distributors Conference, from a vision to reality. He never stopped believing in the opportunities that the future holds for the convention, the
tobacco industry, and the c-store distribution channel.

Garry passed away in 2010 and the annual Garry Adams Memorial Award was created with the encouragement and support of many of Garry’s friends and colleagues from all levels of the industry to recognize an individual who shares some of Garry’s strongest and most admirable traits …

Industry Involvement         Political Involvement        Community/Charitable Involvement

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The Garry Adams Memorial Award is presented annually at the joint gathering of the industry state associations. Nominations will be accepted until July 31st, then reviewed by a panel of Midwest Conference representatives.