NWSA annual meeting on tap for Oct. 2-6

By Industrial Distribution Staff -- Industrial Distribution, 9/1/1999

NEW ORLEANS, LA.--Welding distributors will focus on profits and increasing productivity when they meet in New Orleans next month for the 55th Annual Convention of the National Welding Supply Assn. The event, dubbed The Next Step: Improving Your Strategic Position, will be held Oct 2-6 at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside.

In his Presidential Address, NWSA president Fred Fitch will focus on profitability, expenses and gross margin. According to NWSA's 1999 Profit Survey, profitability has been stagnant over the last three years, despite the vibrant economy. Fitch, president of Fitch Industrial & Welding Supply, will also look at operating expenses -- which are at an all-time high as a percentage of sales -- and will address sales per employee figures, which have not increased in the last three years.

Also on tap for the Opening Session on Sunday, Oct. 3 is a presentation by Arthur Andersen's Pat Dolan, who will discuss the recent Facing the Forces of Change: Four Trends Reshaping Wholesale Distribution report. Following Dolan will be keynote speaker Richard Teerlink, chief executive officer of Harley-Davidson. Teerlink will share company best practices that enabled the motorcycle manufacturer to regain market share, improve quality and increase production.

Other speakers include author and entrepreneur Harvey Mackay, who will offer advice on salesmanship and management skills in Outsell, Outmanage, Outmotivate, and Outnegotiate Your Competition; John Brandt, editor in chief of Industry Week, who will outline new strategies and best practices in Sex, Lies and Customer Satisfaction: Building the Distribution Channel of the Future; and Richard Hadden, who will discuss how treating employees well can positively impact your bottom line.

NWSA's Contact Booth Program will be held on Monday, Oct. 4, from 8 a.m. to noon.

Talkback

We would love your feedback!

Post a comment

» VIEW ALL TALKBACK THREADS

Related Content

• Topics
• Author

Related Content

There are no other articles related to this article.

By This Author

• Questions & Answers—Thoughts and insights from distribution executives
• The Drake Nut
• Unique dual function switch
• Broad line of steel
• Line of flexible medical air handling hose
• » MORE

Sponsored Links