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Boise's Dennis and Pat Nagel Honored at Las Vegas "Dealer of the Year" Party

by Dan Havlik

Photo dealers and industry leaders turned out at a special reception during PMA in Las Vegas last month to honor Idaho Camera in Boise as PTN'S 2003 Dealer of the Year (DOY). Imaging retailers from around the country, past DOY honorees and representatives from photo manufacturers were all on hand to salute Idaho Camera's owners Pat and Dennis Nagel for their achievements in the photo retail market.

"They do a lot, but they're quiet about it and we wish they'd say more because they're a great example for the rest of this industry," said photo industry veteran Ray Ohannes in his remarks during the reception at the Las Vegas Hilton.

Idaho Camera was started in 1946 by Pat and Dennis' father Robert Nagel and has grown from one store to five locations in the Greater Boise area. In her remarks at the reception, PTN publisher Liz Vickers called Idaho Camera "a true family business," with Pat and Dennis' involvement in the company spanning over 25 years.

"Idaho Camera is much more than a retail store, boasting a full-service central photo lab that offers traditional and digital services; an in-house repair facility; and many photography and video classes," Vickers said. "Idaho Camera's staff of 45 employees serves 1,000 customers a day and educates over 1,000 customers annually through their photography school."

Vickers added that because it keeps a deep stock of products from traditional and digital cameras, camcorders, binoculars, darkroom supplies and accessories, Idaho Camera attracts a wide range of customers from soccer moms to professional photographers. One way Idaho Camera has been able to meet consumer demand is through Idaho's popular photography "packages," which include everything a customer needs to get started: a digital camera, camera case, extra memory card, card reader, software, a voucher for a digital photography class at the store along with $50 of digital printing.

"This gives the consumer every piece of the puzzle from equipment, repair, customer service, and classes," Vickers said. "It's what Dennis and Pat call the 'Idaho Camera Difference' and keeps the customers coming back for more."

She also made note of Idaho Camera's top-notch customer service which is a result of a superior staff training program and the long tenures of its staff members, many of whom have been at Idaho for over 15 years. In addition to their involvement in the photography community, Dennis and Pat have also been very involved in their local community including running their immensely popular photo contest in conjunction with the Idaho Statesman. Pat has also been a member of the Better Business Bureau in Idaho for the past ten years and has served on the board of executives for the past eight. Dennis has done volunteer work for the United Way and both brothers have been involved with the local camera club and sponsor many local events. Idaho Camera is also an active member of the PRO group.

"Over the past 58 years, Idaho Camera has grown to a five-location photography 'institution' by offering customers all the photography service, products and training they need," Vickers said. "This coupled with the high quality customer service and knowledgeable staff makes their customers return time and again to experience the 'Idaho Camera Difference.'"

In accepting their award from PTN, both Dennis and Pat were humble in their remarks.

"This is important not only to Pat and I but to all of our staff and families," Dennis said. "And I'm not a person who's had a lot of trophies on his desk so this is important to me and I'll take good care of it."

Pat thanked all those who had turned out to help them share the occasion. "I look out and see all of my friends and all of my family and I really appreciate all of you for coming. And we really appreciate this award from PTN."

PTN would also like to thank the following companies for making this year's PTN Dealer Reception such a success: Agfa, Canon, Eastman Kodak, Fuji Hunt, Konica Minolta, Nikon, Olympus, and Pentax.