ASMMA/I.D.A. to meet in Chicago

By Staff -- Industrial Distribution, 10/1/2000

Chicago- Distributors and manufacturers will be working hard to strengthen their business relationships and learn about important issues and trends affecting the supply chain at the joint American Supply & Machinery Manufacturers'Assn. and Industrial Distributio n Assn. Fall Convention, Nov. 18-20, 2000, at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare in Chicago. Jim Morris, political impressionist and satirist, will entertain attendees as the keynote speaker for the Opening Session and luncheon. Continuing a tradition of focusing heavily on conducting business at the Fall Convention, attendees will have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with top industry executives and to attend industry-specific seminars and workshops. Distributors attending the convention will have the opportunity to host a booth during the day-and-a-half Conference Booth Program to meet with industry trading partners from the more than 350 manufacturing companies expected to attend. The education/management workshops to be presented during the convention are as follows:

• "Using Electronic Commerce to Build a New Industrial Distributor Model," Steve Epner, BSW Consulting

• "Business-to-Business Internet Marketing: Do's and Don'ts," Dr. Gail M. Zank, Texas A & M University

• "E-commerce: Hype or Reality? Alternative Channels of Distribution," Dr. F. Barry Lawrence, Texas A & M University

• "Online Marketplaces-Changes for MROP Distribution," Robert L. Segal, Frank Lynn & Associates

• "Good People-Finding and Keeping Them," William F. Harrison, Phoenix Leadership Institute, Inc.

• "Master Distributor Workshop," Jeff Baden, Frank Lynn & Associates; David Francis, Production Tool Supply; Steve Thompson, Oklahoma Rig & Supply

• "How to Market & Sell in a Cyber World," John R. Graham, Graham Communications

• "Internet Sales, Internet Customer Service," panel presentation

• "Creating Your Business Improvement Quality Manual," Demo Stavros, Team Inc.

• "The Internet: Exactly How It Will Affect Your Business," Gina Smith, The New Internet Computer Co.

• "The MRO Customer and the Internet," panel presentation

In addition to the activities created for the general membership, members of the Young Executive Forum and of I.D.A.'s Small Distributor Council will host additional activities. YEF members will enjoy a social on Saturday, Nov. 18, followed by a roundtable breakfast session on Sunday, Nov. 19, both of which provide young executives the opportunity to share insights and ideas, and network with peers in the industry. I.D.A.'s Small Distributor Council will sponsor two Internet-related sessions for members whose businesses have annual sales of $7.5 million or less. The sessions include "Where in the Web Are You?," a look at the ins and outs of Web site development on Saturday, Nov. 18, and the traditional roundtable breakfast session on Sunday, Nov. 19, moderated by industry consultant Dr. Bill McCleave. Topics will include developing a Web strategy, finding and working with Web site developers, hosting a Web site, a nd Web site development tools.