Anaheim, Calif. - Over 3,900 people turned out for the 26th Annual Convention of the Specialty Tools & Fasteners Distributors Assn., held here Nov. 10-12. Attendance was eight percent ahead of last year's convention in San Antonio, Texas. The convention also marked the association's largest-ever Trade Show, with 747 booths.

Attendees were treated to a convention highlight on day two of the show, when keynote speaker Tim Russert, of NBC's Meet the Press, took center stage during the General Session. Russert delivered his "View from Washington," touching on politics, terrorism, the economy, social security, and what he deemed the country's most critical challenge: raising our children.

Russert began by noting the change that's swept through the United States since September 11, 2001.

"What a year we've gone through," he said, pointing to the events of 9/11 and the subsequent effects on the U.S. economy and way of life. "I believe it changed our thinking forever, as a people, as a nation."

STAFDA president Jim Beckstein thanked Russert for his speech before moving on to his own State of the Industry report.

Beckstein began by updating attendees on the many "cost-cutting" benefits STAFDA has added to its list of resources in the last year. They include discount programs with Enterprise Fleet Services, Office Depot and BP Amoco.

He focused his industry remarks on the value of customer service, which he said plays a key role in dealing with the tough economy. He addressed specific ways to improve customer service, such as implementing bar coding and warehouse management software, and developing customer appreciation programs that include training opportunities and other services.

At the end of the day, providing value through good customer service is what matters most, Beckstein said.

"Whether business is booming or stalled, customers want value," he told attendees.

Cliff Wells, national sales manager for Ridge Tool, gave the manufacturer State of the Industry report. He, too, referred to the unstable economy, but pointed out areas of opportunity for distributors and manufacturers. Specifically, he said collaboration and communication are important tools for building stronger businesses in these challenging times. He pointed out the need to target the right customer base and focus on their needs.

Wells also pointed to a key change in his company's behavior recently: Implementing functional discount programs for distributors rather than using the old, volume discount model.

While Wells told members he could not report that the state of the industry is good, he said: "I believe it will get better."

In addition to the events of the General Session, members were treated to the annual Technology & Consultants Fair, Trade Show, educational workshops and many social events. A highlight of the latter category was a private concert by the Beach Boys, held on Sunday evening, Nov. 10.

STAFDA's 27th Annual Convention & Trade Show will be held in Atlanta, Nov. 2-4, 2003.