Record turnoutfor NAHAD meeting
By Staff -- Industrial Distribution, 5/1/1998
Palm Beach, Fla.--The National Assn. of Hose and Accessories distributors held its largest gathering ever in Florida last month. A record 927 attendees turned out for the group's 14th Annual Meeting & Convention April 5-8 at Palm Beach's luxurious The Breakers hotel.There were 251 distributors in attendance, along with 153 manufacturers, 31 associates, 14 affiliates, and 241 spouses. Included in those figures were 87 first-time attendees. The grand resort, with its lush tropical setting was the perfect backdrop for the meeting, which included a host of notable speakers, networking opportunities, committee meetings, and social gatherings. The event also marked the official announcement of the NAHAD Institute, a new educational initiative.
"Attendance is only one means of measuring success," said NAHAD executive vice president Joe Thompson, pointing to the educational, technological, and social aspects of the yearly meeting. "While we're pleased with the numbers, what we've tried to do is provide an entire package for all attendees at this year's meeting."
In his welcoming speech, NAHAD president Al Talbot, of Western States Tool & Supply in Hayward, Calif., addressed the "total package" issue. He spoke to the industry's rapid pace of change and the association's attempt to prepare members for it through educational programming. He also urged members not to underestimate the social and networking opportunities the meeting affords.
"I hope and strongly believe that our variety of speakers will offer us tangible and worthwhile take-home value," Talbot said, adding that, "serving as NAHAD's president this year has been a great experience for me."
Speakers included Robert Stevenson, who kicked off the meeting with his motivational talk titled "Traditions in Excellence." Stevenson spoke about the importance of planning (both personally and professionally), the need to encourage employees through positive reinforcement, and the importance of "lightening up" and looking at the funny side of life.
"Get in a good mood," Stevenson told attendees. "That's how to improve your company -- and yourself."
Noted industry consultant Michael Marks conducted a marathon session on the changes taking place in the industry. Titled "An Industry in Transition," his workshop revolved around innovative practices like integrated supply, virtual inventory, technological development, the master distributor concept, and a company's need to take on a pilot project addressing one or more of those issues. Back by popular demand was international consultant Don Beveridge, who discussed ways distributors can increase and improve selling efforts, and better train salespeople and sales managers. Other speakers included Mary Lo Verde, Keith Bailey and Karen Leland.
A number of important announcements were made at the meeting's general session. The most notable was the announcement of the NAHAD Institute, which marks another chapter in the association's ongoing commitment to education. The idea for the project was born out of sessions held at last year's annual meeting. Ideally, it will serve as a model for industry education nationwide, according to incoming NAHAD president Tom Slater, president of Rubber Supply Co. in Morrisville, Pa. The project will incorporate product and technical training, management leadership, sales training, computer skills and more from a variety of mediums -- such as CD-ROM, video and seminars. NAHAD has selected a team of curriculum developers that includes top industry consultants and educators.
In his first address as NAHAD president, Slater pledged his commitment to those and other new projects in the upcoming year. He stressed the importance of continuing the work of establishing four new hose assembly standards: for industrial, hydraulic, composite and Teflon hose. An important element of the standards projects is that they involve distributor and manufacturer members working together, Slater noted. He also said the association would update its strategic plan this year to determine where it should be headed for the future. Membership issues and the idea of becoming even more international in scope are top items on that agenda.
"As your president I look forward to completing the new projects developed in the last few months," Slater said. "All of this, of course, takes effort and work."
NAHAD's 15th Annual Meeting & Convention will be held at the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort in San Antonio, Tex., April 17-21, 1999.
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