EXHIBITIONS
STAFDA’s fantastic Florida convention
Orlando’s beautiful weather and business environment made the 36th
Annual Convention
of the Specialty Tools & Fasteners Distributors Association a success for 4,236 attending members, reports Catherine Usher, STAFDA member services director.
Seven educational workshops gave attendees a wide range of topics to choose from as they learned from the best in the industry. Alan Beaulieu provided his annual ‘Economic forecast’ giving members a look at the current state of the economy in the U.S. and Canada, key financial indicators, and the construction/ industrial markets. Nancye Combs provided insight into what’s new and upcoming in human resources issues while Bob DeStefano gave attendees online marketing suggestions for ‘Generation net.’
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Afternoon classes included Joe Ellers: ‘Take absolute control over time’; Brent Grover on the ‘Search for the perfect customer’; ‘Situational leadership’ with Pete Land; and Tim Underhill with ‘Supply chain collaboration’. Chocoholic
engineers were in
their prime during the spouse/companion program as they constructed somewhat-steady structures using nothing but chocolate bars, frosting, and candy bits. The competing teams were awarded points to cash in at the ‘Sweet Shoppe’. Sunday evening, STAFDA neighbors from around the world hit the streets of Universal Orlando Resort’s CityWalk® for the
STAFDA Block Party. Members had seven venues to enjoy an eclectic mix of food, music and conversations. The warm Orlando evening created the perfect setting for attendees to stroll the byways and strike up new business relationships. The general session opened on Monday with a lively steel drum trio before the ‘Year-in-Review’ presentation. STAFDA 2012 President Kramer Darragh, Darragh Co, provided the ‘State-of-the-Industry’ address followed by Jim Fall, business and operation director, 3M, with the Associate State-of-the-Industry. Former U.S. secretary of state, Dr Condoleezza Rice, then gave a fascinating look into her life growing up in the American South, working up through the political landscape of Washington D.C.,
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he convention, which included a 776 booth trade show, was staged in November at the Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Florida. Sunday is for learning during the STAFDA meeting.
and her views now on changing global relationships. STAFDA’s trade show followed the general session, for six
hours of new products, show specials, and contacts with decision makers from distributors, manufacturers, and rep agent member companies. Within the trade show, the Tech & Consultants’ Fair provided an opportunity for members to focus on their businesses as they met with STAFDA-endorsed consultants and service providers or test-drove the newest software, hardware, and e-business applications. The trade show continued for six additional hours on
Tuesday providing extra time to firm up new relationships and negotiations. Spouses and companions had contrasting tour options: Winter Park offered a quaint look at some of Florida’s unique smaller towns, and included a scenic boat tour and a visit to the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art. The Kennedy Space Center brought the space program to life again for those who chose to wander through the Rocket Garden, tour the Apollo/Saturn V Center, and be one of the first groups through the vehicle assembly building. The election night closing party brought members together
for a final meal and the early returns on the U.S. presidential election. It also was an opportunity to make plans for next year’s STAFDA event. The 2013 Annual Convention & Trade Show, open exclusively to STAFDA members, will be 11th – 13th Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.
November at the Mandalay 2013 STAFDA officers
STAFDA elected Rick Lamb (pictured), Frank’s Supply Co., Albuquerque, NM, as president for 2013. Frank’s sells, rents, and services professional-grade tooling, equipment, and supplies. The company has been a STAFDA member since 1978. Rod Gowett, Bay Tool & Supply, Milpitas, CA, was elected STAFDA vice president. Three new directors also were elected: Terry Earle of
Fort Worth Bolt & Tool Co; Keith Turtenwald of Lincoln Contractors Supply, West Allis, WI; and Michael Thuringer, Bierschbach Equipment & Supply Co, Sioux Falls, SD.
Fastener + Fixing Magazine • Issue 79 January 2013
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