Orlando, Fla. – The general malaise in the industrial economy signaled change for distributors of all kinds. Hose and accessories distributors meeting here in April face sales problems with their unique customer base, as well as problems common to all distributors, said Joe Thompson, executive director of NAHAD— The Assn. for Hose and Accessories Distribution.

The theme of NAHAD's Annual Convention, to be held April 5-9 at the Orlando World Center Marriott Resort and Convention Center, is Distribution Leadership Essentials. The meeting is aimed squarely at addressing sales and management problems aggravated by the two-year slump.

Registration for the convention is running ahead of the last two years, when meetings were held in admittedly more expensive locations, Puerto Rico and Palm Springs, Calif., Thompson said. He expects a robust turnout of distributors looking for ideas that will help make 2003 a better year than last.

Chuck Connors, president of Worcester, Mass.-based Omni Services and Connors Associates, is a past president of NAHAD and will speak about sales and management topics.

"His presentation includes extremely specific examples about what distributors go through day to day," Thompson said.

Michael Janke, an expert in strategic planning and rapid decision making in challenging times, got much of his experience as a Navy SEAL commando, and he blends adventure and drama into his motivational talk, Thompson said.

Thompson said one of the topics most requested by members is private-company succession and transference, an issue for more and more companies with aging owners. At the convention, G. William Fix from Merrill Lynch, Enterprise Services Group, will host a workshop on ownership transfer and succession planning.

Incoming NAHAD president Michael Armbruster is enthused about the location and layout of this year's convention. The association worked hard to get one of the most accessible cities in the country for its annual meeting, he said.

An admitted optimist, Armbruster predicts a healthy comeback in the hose and accessories market, although not to 2000 levels. Members who attend the convention can, with a little planning, make it the year's most cost-effective way to meet potential clients and suppliers, he said.

"On a cost-per-client basis, there are few ways to accomplish what can be done in three days at the convention. I believe members should come every year, but it's even more important in 2003," he said.