Glen Ellyn, Ill. —Members of the Bearing Specialists Assn. will have more time than usual to network with business partners during the group's Annual Convention next month.

Held at The Breakers in Palm Beach, Fla., April 14-17, the meeting will feature an afternoon networking session on Tuesday, April 16, for private, one-on-one meetings between manufacturers and distributors. The program is in addition to the annual Conference Table Session, scheduled for Tuesday morning, and the many informal networking opportunities available throughout the four-day event. The new program recognizes the unique networking opportunities provided by the convention, according to BSA.

"BSA conventions are an opportunity unlike any other for industry leaders to tap a valuable industry network, affirm existing alliances and establish new ones," said convention committee chairman Peter Fitzpatrick of Bearing Specialty Co. in Canton, Mass. "The challenges of doing business have never been greater, making the benefits of industry ties more important than ever."

Fitzpatrick pointed to another program of special interest: a customer panel that will discuss the concept of "value added" selling and marketing. Titled "Value Added — Fact or Fiction," the panel will focus on members' experience with and expectations of the value-added approach to business.

"One of the keys to growth in today's marketplace for both distributors and manufacturers is a commitment to adding value," Fitzpatrick said. "The panel discussion at the convention will give us a unique opportunity as an industry to hear from the end users of our products about this important subject."