The first official meeting of the Industrial Supply Assn. will take place Nov. 20–22 at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare/Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Ill., just outside Chicago.

The ISA Business Expo will open under the theme "Roadmap for the Future." The ISA is the result of the merging of the Industrial Distribution Assn. and the Industrial Supply Manufacturers Assn., which was effective July 1.

The varied schedule of events features many highlights. The supplier/distributor booth programs figure to be among them, as suppliers will open their booths on Nov. 21 with the distributors doing the same the following day.

"We are expecting a strong turnout of suppliers, distributors and other channel partners in the supply chain," said ISA executive vice president John Buckley. "The end result for attendees will be an opportunity to learn how to improve profitability and efficiency…and to learn details of ISA's plans for the future."

Among the workshop topics are, "Customer Relationship Management for the Common Man," to be presented by Russ Lombardo of Peak Sales Consulting. Chuck Holmes of Corporate Strategies is scheduled to talk about "New Directions in Inside Sales for Senior Managers," and Allen Wishner, CEO of Flexible Benefits Insurance Corp., will present "Healthcare Options for Businesses Today."

ISA president Tom Berger described the Business Expo as "a premier opportunity for suppliers, distributors and other channel partners to meet and talk about current opportunities, and strategize for the future in an environment unmatched in the industry."

As in the past, the Expo will include the Small, Specialty & Emerging Member roundtable discussion. The session is titled, "Extending the Value of Small, Specialty and Emerging Members: Programs That Really Work!"

In connection with the Expo, NIRA (The North American Industrial Representatives Assn.) will hold its representative/manufacturer suite appointments program. Entitled "IRMA—Industrial Reps & Manufacturers Appointments," it will be an opportunity for manufacturers to meet confidentially with NIRA member industrial sales reps in private meeting suites, immediately preceding the Expo. (Saturday, Nov. 20, from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Rosemont.)

The keynote address scheduled for Nov. 21 will be given by syndicated columnist Mitch Albom, author of Tuesdays With Morrie and The Five People You'll Meet In Heaven.

For a complete list of ISA workshops and other information, visit www.isapartners.org.