Newton, Mass.— The Specialty Tools & Fasteners Distributors Assn. is hitting the road to Atlanta, Nov. 2–4, for its 27th Annual Convention & Trade Show.

To be held at the Georgia World Congress Center, the convention will offer attendees its traditional blend of education, business, networking and fun, including an Industry Panel, general session, trade show, opening party and educational workshops.

Sunday's activities will include the Tech & Consultants' Fair, where computer hardware, software, e-business, bar code/data capture suppliers and other vendors demonstrate applications and lead workshops; the Industry Panel, a new program moderated by Michael Marks that will cover the industry's hot topics, before splitting into individual Rap Sessions; and the "Passport to the World" opening party, where attendees will be entertained and fed in different areas of the "world."

Monday's General Session will include "The Year in Review," updates on the state of the industry from John Satagaj, president of the Small Business Legislative Council, and STAFDA president Jason Bader, and Kim Reynolds, national sales director of MK Morse Co., Canton, Ohio. The session's keynote speaker, Frank Abagnale, subject of the movie Catch Me if You Can, is one of the world's most respected authorities on forgery, embezzlement and secure documents. He will tell his story and its moral, and offer members advice on preventing versions of his younger self from stealing from their companies.

The convention's trade show is open on both Monday and Tuesday, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Organizers expect record-breaking booth participation, with more than 700 booths staffed by senior policy-level executives. More than 35 different product categories from hundreds of vendors will entice distributors; while associates are invited to increase product awareness, strengthen relationships, source new reps or OEMs and get feedback on products, policies, service and competition.

Said STAFDA executive director Georgia Foley in a recent interview, "Last year's Anaheim [Calif.] show had 747 booths, our largest trade show ever. We expect an equal, if not better, showing in Atlanta. Distributors will have 10 hours, over two afternoons, to visit exhibitors, many of whom are offering show specials, prize drawings and introducing new products."

Tuesday also is the day for the convention's six concurrent educational workshops. They include: "Stop Memory Loss," with Dr. Bill Cone; "Cultural Awareness: Marketing to Hispanics & Latinos," with Natan Feldman; "Visual Merchandising: Increasing Your Showroom's Appeal," with Greg Gorman; "Prescriptions for Rep Marketing Success," with John Has-kell; "Crushing Price Objections," with Tom Reilly; and "From Ricky & Lucy to Beavis & Butthead: Managing the New Workforce," with Bob Wendover.

STAFDA's closing party, "A Night of Southern Hospitality," gives attendees the opportunity to relive Southern richness through architectural scenery, dramatic florals and decorative lighting, while enjoying a five-piece Motown/swing band and a traditional Southern barbecue.

"Our convention is…a terrific value," said Foley. "…For the $190 per person we charge, the STAFDA attendee gets three days of exceptional education, an outstanding trade show, terrific social events, and networking opportunities. All this takes place in an upbeat atmosphere of fellowship at first-class hotels and convention facilities."