42
EXHIBITIONS
Attendance
down but
STAFDA
convention
a success
More than 3,750 members of the Specialty Tools & Fasteners Distributors Association attended STAFDA’s
33
rd
Annual Convention and Trade Show at the Georgia World Congress Center in November. Georgia Foley,
STAFDA’s executive director, noted that although attendance was down this year, compared to other similar
industry trade shows that have shown signifi cant attrition, STAFDA’s Atlanta Convention was a success.
Economy fi rst and foremost
refl ected in what they do, how they operate, public works sector, with over US$350 billion
A standing-room-only turnout for Alan
and what they offer,” and argued for still to be allocated.
Beaulieu’s ‘Economic Forecast’ on Sunday
becoming the knowledge leader for products Ireland called the 2010 business
morning proved the economy is still fi rst and
with sustainability benefi ts. environment “challenging” as companies
foremost in STAFDA members’ minds. Senior
Turning to successful business
“battle for the limited growth opportunities
analyst, economist, and principle for the
leadership, Look highlighted the importance
with existing accounts” while searching for
Institute for Trend Research, Beaulieu looked
of putting the right people in the right
new channels and customers to drive top
at key leading indicators, discussed potential
positions, arguing that smaller companies
line revenue.
investment perils and opportunities, and
often suffered from not properly aligning
FOX News business commentator and
highlighted how companies could best
the management needs of a growing
former chairman of Godfather’s Pizza,
position themselves to take maximum
organisation with the talent and skill set of
Herman Cain, concluded the General Session
advantage of this stage of the business cycle.
its current management or ownership group.
by offering his thoughts on ‘Leadership is
In the afternoon attendees chose from
He noted the potential diffi culties of turning
common sense.’
four educational workshops ranging from
top sales people into managers. Many of the
‘Visual merchandising and showroom design’
skill sets that make a “high maintenance,
705 booth Trade Show
to ‘Creating a marketing plan’, as well as
Type A personality, thoroughbred sales pro”
Distributors were able to visit 705 booths
advice from Robert Stevenson on how to
so effective are some of the very traits that
during the STAFDA Trade Show, open Monday
‘Soar like an eagle in a world full of turkeys’
make them “something less than a great
afternoon and throughout Tuesday. A ‘buying
and Steve Strauss on ‘From small to big.’ sales manager and leader,” he pointed out.
show’, they were able to take advantage
The world’s largest aquarium was venue “The bottom line is this: You must get the
of show-only price specials, prize drawings,
for STAFDA’s opening party, where attendees right pegs in the right holes to maximize
and new product lines. Associate members
enjoyed the buffet and A1A’s Original & shareholder value and ultimately move your
used the show to introduce 2010 products,
Offi cial Jimmy Buffet Tribute Show as whale business to the next level,” he stressed.
sharks, Australian weedy sea dragons, and Black & Decker vice president Les Ireland
strengthen customer relations, and sell. Rep
stingrays slid gracefully past. said he knew the global recession had
members had the chance to meet with their
shifted to an “all out economic disaster”
STAFDA principals, distributor customers, and
Monday’s General Session in early 2009 when customers started
source new vendors.
John Engler, president of the National saying “I don’t care what the deal is, I
The ‘Technology & Consultant’s Fair’
Association of Manufacturers and former ain’t buying!” In his state of manufacturing
moved into the trade show hall this year,
governor of Michigan, provided insight into address he reviewed the lessons of 2009
with thirteen STAFDA’s endorsed consultants
the political climate in Washington and and emphasised, “It will take signifi cantly
on hand to talk one-on-one on issues
upcoming legislation impacting businesses. more discipline to control the ride back up
ranging from human resources to accounts
STAFDA executive director Georgia Foley than it did to react to the ride down.” Ireland
receivable to warehousing.
provided an Association update before saw projections that professional tools
Tuesday’s closing party took a fond
STAFDA president Hal Look, of ProBuild, sales would rise 3.7% per year to surpass
farewell to Atlanta. STAFDA’s 34th Annual
Denver, gave the Distributor State of the US$20 billion by 2013, as “a welcome start,
Convention & Trade Show will take place
Industry talk. but we will need to see the trends in both
7 – 9 November 2010, at the Phoenix
Look called the “green movement” in commercial and residential construction
Convention Center.
business and consumer circles “a growing begin to shift substantially, driving stronger
concept that will affect the future of how we pull through of inventories existing in the Report based on information from
do business and what we sell.” He believed, channel.” He noted, though, that US stimulus STAFDA with additional material from
“that being a sustainable company should be funds would continue to funnel into the GlobalFastenerNews.com
Fastener + Fixing Magazine • Issue 61 January 2010
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