Panning for Profit
Material handling distributors head to Reno for their 1998 Convention
By Staff -- Industrial Distribution, 2/1/1998
From May 2-6, the Material Handling Equipment Distributors Assn. will host more than 600 distributors and manufacturers at the group's annual convention whose '98 theme is "Panning for Profits." The MHEDA convention is noted for its outstanding speakers, superior educational programs, a highly productive manufacturers' fair and beautiful locations for leisure activities.The educational focus of MHEDA's convention begins with the traditional Annual Business Meeting and "state of the association" address, hosted by Gary T. Moore, MHEDA's 1998 president, and president of Materials Handling Equipment Company, a multi-line distributor located in Denver, Colo. Keynote speaker Don Hutson will inspire and motivate attendees with an address on "21st Century Leadership." Don was elected by his peers to the presidency of the National Speakers Association and has received its prestigious "Cavett Award." Don's technology for team building, personal coaching, improvement of company morale and greater individual performance has been highly acclaimed in dozens of industries and hundreds of organizations. If you are looking for high quality managerial excellence and adaptable leadership skills, then the opening educational program is right on target for you.
Manufacturers on display
Marketing in real time will take place at the Manufacturers' Fair and Luncheon, and will include over 100 table top displays. This is a perfect setting for manufacturers looking to strengthen their distributor network and for distributors looking for new products to fill their customers' needs. The fair is a tried and true vehicle for marketing under optimum conditions.
Monday afternoon will offer dynamic workshops with presentations by Carl Forssen, senior vice president of Business Resources Services; Walter McDonald, president of the McDonald Group; and Gary W. Richins, consultant for Franklin Covey. Topics will include: "Seven Steps to Fiscal Fitness," designed to hone your financial management skills; "Effective Rental Operations and Marketing," offering hands-on advice for profit potential in the rental market; and "Time Management," a customized program from the leaders in time management training. Your session choice is an automatic winner.
Tuesday's agenda will spark your imagination with thinking "outside of the box" presentations. Bob Losyk, founder and president of Innovative Training Solutions will share ideas on recruiting and hiring the right people.
Bill Brooks, workshop guru to IBM, U.S. Steel and General Motors will show attendees how to increase customer sales with his practical and entertaining viewpoint. Bill is considered one of the top management and productivity experts in the world today.
Garry Bartecki, partner at BDO Seidman and an expert on distributor finances, will conduct a round table session and case study on "Can This Distributor Survive?" Workshop attendees will design the solution during this energetic and informative exercise!
Bruce Merrifield, Jr., president of Merrifield Consulting Group, will brief participants on why and how to re-engineer cost by partnering with your best suppliers and customers. Always on the cutting edge, Bruce Merrifield, a true visionary, will help attendees find out how to surf the wave of change instead of being wiped out by it.
Following lunch a speakers' panel will give attendees a brief overview of the morning's conclusions and further discussion will take place on topics that proved interesting but were curtailed because of time constraints at the morning sessions.
Spouses' programs
Monday's Spouses' Luncheon and Program will be held at the Edgewood Country Club on the glorious shore of Lake Tahoe. Lorna Riley brings a diverse background and high level of achievement to the podium with numerous awards to show for her success as a business owner, sales executive and sales trainer. Lorna will teach a fascinating technique for memory management which will entertain and enrich even those with superior memory abilities.
Tuesday's Spouses' activities will include a charming metamorphosis demonstration. A showgirl will transform her "everyday" appearance into the "image" of a showgirl and give the audience a glimpse into life back stage. Lunch will follow the presentation and low impact jazzercise will close the afternoon for participants and spectators.
There is a personal touch and feel to everything at John Ascuaga's Nugget, located just minutes from the airport. The hotel is owned by the Ascuaga family, and their uncompromising attention to detail is evident in the sleeping accommodations, fine and casual dining restaurants, showrooms and the casino floor. Free valet parking is just one of the added Nugget conveniences.
Two of the Nugget's permanent and most famous guests are Bertha and Angel, friendly pachyderms, who perform nightly as the opening act in the Celebrity Showroom. They live in their own specially built "Elephant Palace" adjacent to the hotel, where visitors are welcome.
The convention program will begin on Saturday, May 2nd with registrations and an optional tour to Lake Tahoe. A paddle wheeler boat cruise on the M.S. Dixie will delight participants with, as Mark Twain said, "surely the fairest picture the whole earth affords."
The Sunday Golf Tournament and Awards Luncheon will take place at the Lake Ridge Golf Course in the picturesque foothills of Reno. Besides challenging holes and plenty of water, expect to see deer, coyotes and waterfowl. Bring the camera along! While the golfers are being entertained, those with a mind to shop will have an opportunity to explore Truckee. During the visit to this historic town, attendees will learn about its colorful 150 year history, visit a small museum and also enjoy the unique stores with offerings ranging from antique to trendy.
The Sunday evening celebration will take place at the National Automobile Museum with dinner, dancing and gazing at one of the world's most celebrated collections of vintage and celebrity cars. This is an evening not to be missed...a drive down memory lane.
The spectacular party theme for Tuesday evening will be "Club Rhumba" with special guest appearances by the Rat Pack. Bring your dancing shoes and fond memories for an evening in the '60s.
Wednesday morning always brings a bit of nostalgia as conventioneers say good-bye to new and old friends over breakfast and make plans to join together next year. Each convention holds its special memories and smiles and this year in Reno will also be tucked away in that designated place in the mind for happy times.
How to register
Join MHEDA members as they go "Panning for Profits," May 2-6 in Reno. MHEDA's Board of Directors, particularly Sam Grooms, convention chairman and president of Hy-Tek Material Handling Inc., Columbus, Ohio, have worked diligently to design and execute another thought provoking and exciting convention. Registration Fees are: Members: $645; Spouses: $445; NonMembers: $695. Fees for Exhibit Space in MHEDA's Manufacturers' Fair are: Members: $525; NonMembers: $625.
For more information on MHEDA's convention or to request a brochure and registration materials, contact MHEDA by phone: (847)680-3500; by FAX: (847)362-6989 or e-mail: connect@mheda.org.
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