Chicago—Leaders of the Industrial Supply Manufacturers Assn. and the Industrial Distribution Assn. were pleased with the attendance at their recent Fall Convention, held at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare in Rosemont, Ill. Over 1,600 people attended the event. Though that number was down compared to previous years, officials said it was strong given the weak economy.

Attendance levels were off just 14 percent in terms of the number of member companies represented and 19 percent on individual attendance, said Chuck Stockinger, ISMA executive director and Gary Buffington, I.D.A. executive vice president.

While attendees were getting back to business, recent world events weren't far from their minds. I.D.A. president Scott Parrish opened the general session luncheon by saying, "Your presence at this meeting is a testament to your patriotism." Parrish is vice president, Nashville Region, for Turner Supply Co.

ISMA president David Thompson thanked members for their participation in the Fall Convention, as well. In his speech to members, Thompson emphasized the relationships that develop between trading partners by participating in the convention each year.

Convention highlights included the first Value Added Partner awards, a presentation of the most recent Facing the Forces of Change report published by the National Assn. of Wholesaler-Distributors, and the day-and-a-half conference booth program.

Thirty-two manufacturers and 29 distributors were awarded special plaques as the first winners of the Value-Added Partner Recognition Program. The program recognizes members of ISMA and I.D.A. for their value-added activities that strengthen the end-user's bottom line and profitability. The awards were given by Frank Kennedy, chairman of the Value-Added Promotion Task Force and sales and marketing director at Dake, a division of JSJ Corp.

As part of the VAP awards program, ISMA member CRC Industries, Inc. of Warminster, Pa., and I.D.A. member Fuchs Machinery, Inc. of Omaha, Neb., won the first Value-Added Partner of the Year awards. CRC was honored for its "risk reduction partnership plan" which helps customers lower ownership costs. Fuchs was recognized for documenting more than $3.7 million in annual cost savings for its customers.

Brian Correia, VP sales and marketing for CRC's industrial division, accepted the award on behalf of CRC Industries and president Tom Berger accepted the award for Fuchs Machinery.