Keystone, Colo. —In a year when the economy looks so dim, Safety Week 2002 gave a glimpse of a brighter tomorrow for the safety industry. The event was held July 6-9 at the Keystone Resort in Keystone, Colo.

This was the second annual combined conference of the Safety Equipment Distributors Assn., National Industrial Glove Distributors Assn., Safety Equipment Manufacturers' Agents Assn., International Hand Protection Assn. and Canadian Glove Manufacturers Assn.

Dr. Al Bates of Boulder, Colo.-based Profit Planning Group shared with attendees a vision of a more profitable future for SEDA members, pointing out that margins for the average SEDA member are good but expenses are too high. He unveiled a plan to dramatically increase profits and return on assets over the next year.

Futurist Bob Treadway presented 20/20 Foresight: How to Look Into the Future of Your Business. The session, aimed at guiding businesses through the uncertain future by anticipating a compendium of scenarios, dovetailed with Facing the Forces of Change: Future Scenarios for Wholesale Distribution presented by Michael Marks of Indian River Consulting Group.

Dan Shipp, president of the International Safety Equipment Assn., also talked about future growth for the safety industry. He said the road construction industry is a way to "grow the size of the pie" for the entire safety market.