Fort Lauderdale, Fla.—Nearly 275 people turned out for the Bearing Specialists Assn.'s annual convention, held April 24–27 at Marriott's Harbor Beach Resort and Spa. It was a record turnout for BSA, and a 9 percent increase in attendance over last year's convention.

The theme of this year's meeting was "Experience the Influence," featuring presentations by author and market strategist Tom Winninger on "Full Price: Creating Distinctive Value in the New Economy," and sales expert Jim Pancero on "Seven Questions to Evaluate the Competitive Marketing Health of Your Business." Winninger focused on ways to create distinctive value-added services; Pancero listed steps to improve selling processes and suggested strategies for competing in a global marketplace.

Sten Malmstrom, of SKF, and vice chairman of the American Bearing Manufacturers Assn., offered members a global outlook on the state of the bearings industry. Malmstrom said worldwide bearing sales reached $25 billion in 2000; sales in the United States reached $5.3 billion, he said.

Consolidation, globalization and price competition are some of the key trends that will impact the industry, Malmstrom added.

Another speaker, Hank Cox of the National Assn. of Manufacturers, identified challenges facing manufacturers today, and emphasized the importance of a strong manufacturing base in the United States. Cox pointed out that nearly 3 million manufacturing jobs were lost during the last recession, but added that the sector seems to be rebounding. He said capital investment is rising, exports are growing, and the majority of NAM's members are hiring.

At the same time, the industry is faced with a number of problems, including rising health care, regulatory and legal costs, and rising corporate taxes, he said.

Also during the convention, BSA presented Bob Lewis, vice president/general manager at US Bearings & Drives, Vancouver, Wash., with his certificate as the 200th person to receive the Certified Bearings Specialist designation. The CBS program documents value-added services provided by industrial distributors to the end users of bearings and related products.

Craig Gipson, of Gipson Bearing & Supply, was elected president of BSA for 2004-2005. Douglas Savage, of Bearing Service, Inc., was elected first vice president; Tom Miller, Motion Industries, was elected second vice president; and Cam Lawrence, BDI Canada, was elected treasurer.