Chicago —Members of the Industrial Supply Manufacturers Assn. and the Industrial Distribution Assn. will meet at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare for their annual Fall Meeting Nov. 17-19.

The theme of this year's three-day event is "Your Competitive Edge, Capturing New Market Share." ISMA and I.D.A. are citing the tough economy as a prime reason to attend the event.

"We've all been through it. One year we're sitting on top of high profits, and the next year we're looking for ways to cut our budgets," the associations' convention brochure reads. "Unfortunately, what is sometimes cut first is what we need the most. In these trying economic times, we need to take advantage of one very exclusive benefit that ISMA and I.D.A. offer."

Among the benefits of attending the convention, according to ISMA and I.D.A., are:

• The opportunity to meet one-on-one with hundreds of executive-level company representatives in just three days
• Much-awaited results of the 2001 edition of the National Assn. of Wholesaler-Distributors'Facing the Forces of Change report
• A day-and-a-half Conference Booth Program hosted by distributors
• Speakers and educational sessions geared towards both manufacturers and distributors
• A centrally located, "get-down-to-business," international convention
• And a welcoming, open environment.

Featured speakers include Scott Benfield, Benfield Consulting Co.; Tim Underhill, Underhill & Associates; Dr. Al Bates, Profit Planning Group; Dave Kahle, The DaCo Corp.; Mark Dancer, Frank Lynn & Associates; and Dr. Adam Fein of Pembroke Consulting.

Fein will present the results of NAW's Facing the Forces of Change report during the General Session on Sunday morning, Nov. 18. Pembroke Consulting conducted the research for the report earlier this year. J. Michael Marks of Indian River Consulting Group will join Fein to discuss the implications of the new report for industrial distributors and manufacturers.

The draw of the Fall Convention is its jam-packed, business-intense focus. The educational sessions and workshops run all day Saturday, Nov. 17, with an opening reception in the evening. The Conference Booth Program will be held on Sunday afternoon — after the General Session and Opening Session and Luncheon — and all day Monday, Nov. 19.