Sealing distributors from across the country will meet next month in historic Savannah, Ga., for the 2004 Annual Convention of the Independent Sealing Distributors. The meeting will be held at the Savannah Marriott Riverfront hotel, Oct. 21–23.

ISD president Mike Botta said he looks forward to a "hard-hitting, two-and-a-half days" in Georgia, pointing to a strong line-up of speakers, networking opportunities and social events.

"It's a very in-depth program, with networking opportunities and some good information on how to do business," said Botta, sales manager for Controlled Motion Solutions, a six-location distributor with headquarters in Santa Ana, Calif.

The theme of the 2004 convention is "Stand Out From the Competition: Creating Unique Business Value," and it centers on a presentation by industry consultant Bill McCleave titled, "Stand Out from the Competition: The 4 P's of Differentiation." The P's stand for position, pitch, performance and proof, and they form the basis for several workshops over the course of the meeting. McCleave will lead a panel discussion on Friday afternoon, Oct. 22, following his presentation.

Other presenters include sales consultant and trainer John Monoky, who will lead a session called, "Position: Turn Market Segment Opportunities into Action;" Thomas Noon, whose presentation is titled, "Performance: Financial Measures to Leverage Results;" attorney Robert Redmond, who will discuss legal issues in "Performance: Stay in Business & Out of Court, Asbestosis and Other Constraints to Maximum Performance;" and Tom Gale, editor of the industry newsletter Modern Distribution Management, who will lead three sessions on Saturday afternoon, Oct. 23: "Pitch: Optimize Your Message," followed by a session on ISD member case studies, and a closing roundtable discussion and summary of the four P's introduced by McCleave at the beginning of the program.

ISD's CEO Forums will meet during the convention, as well. The CEO Forums are groups of non-competing ISD members who meet regularly to discuss business issues and concerns. The CEO Forums are one of ISD's most popular programs, according to Botta, so time and space has been set aside for groups to meet on Thursday and Friday morning.

The convention will also feature the annual Table Top Exhibit program, Golf Tournament, cocktail receptions, and the Annual Members' Dinner & Dancing event.