The Power Transmission Distributors Assn. recently held its 2008 Canadian Conference at the Fairmont Le Château Whistler in Whistler, British Columbia. It was the seventh such conference and drew more than 250 power transmission distributors and manufacturers.

PTDA members heard from a number of speakers, including analyst Michael Campbell who gave his economic forecast and analyzed the strengths and weaknesses of the Canadian economy as well as trends in mining and manufacturing.

Other speakers included Randy Breaux, vice president of marketing for Baldor Electric, who briefed attendees on the growing motion control market in the United States and Canada.

Ken Fryer of 4Refuel, a Canadian fuel management consultancy, discussed a cost-effective approach to reducing carbon emissions and made the case for replacing existing fuel sources with biodiesel—with no loss of performance.

Steve Reid of GoldCorp discussed the economic trends in mining and exploration. Brian Gordon of the Climate Project discussed the potential ramifications of global warming on the Canadian market.

Next year's PTDA Canadian Conference is set for May 28-30, 2009, in Niagara Falls, Ontario.

For more information, go to www.ptda.org/canadianconference

The National Fastener Distributors Assn. has established the Brad Wilson Memorial Scholarship in memory of the late president of Mid-State Bolt & Nut Co., who passed away in February.

Wilson was also past president of NFDA. The scholarship is funded by several NFDA member companies.

Its first recipient is Nicole Owens of Tifco Industries, a Virginia-based MRO distributor.

“This scholarship is a tribute to Brad Wilson for his commitment to the fastener industry, as well as his contributions to NFDA,” said John Hausoul, NFDA's executive vice president. “The scholarship highlights our industry's commitment to the next generation.”

In addition to the Wilson Scholarship, the NFDA has awarded nearly $26,000 in the past year to 21 students, through its NFDA Memorial Scholarship and Gilchrist Scholarship programs.

The NFDA Memorial Scholarship Program is funded by NFDA member donations and money raised through various fundraising events.

The Gilchrist Foundation Scholarship was established by Robbie and Gina Gilchrist in 2000 to help students who choose to pursue a career in the fastener industry.

For more information, go to www.nfda-fastener.org

Alexis Bayer was appointed director of energy and resources policy at the National Assn. of Manufacturers.

Bayer was a legislative assistant for Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.) for more than five years, working on topics related to energy, trade and foreign affairs.

“Energy is a top concern for American manufacturers who need abundant and affordable supplies,” NAM president John Engler said. “With her wealth of experience working on energy issues on Capitol Hill, Alexis will be instrumental in helping the NAM convey this message to Congress.”

At the NAM, Bayer will focus on climate change legislation, nuclear energy, energy efficiency and chemical security matters. She is a graduate of the University of Nevada and is working toward a master's degree at the United States Naval War College.

For more information, go to www.nam.org

The Institute for Supply Management presented its Person of the Year Awards during the annual International Supply Management Conference and Educational Exhibit held recently in St. Louis.

Honorees were recognized in the following categories: education/learning, innovation/creativity, leadership, marketing/communicating and volunteerism.

The winners were: Eileen Byrne-Halczyn, Florida Gulf Coast Inc. (education/learning); Jim Haining, Nevada Inc. (innovation/creativity); Christine Couts, Columbus Inc. (leadership); Robert Barwick, Milwaukee Inc.; (marketing/communicating); David Duprey, Greater Syracuse Inc. (volunteer of the year).

For more information, go to: www.ism.ws