FALL 2023

50 THE DISTRIBUTOR’S

50 THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK SPECIALTY TOOLS & FASTENERS DISTRIBUTORS ASSOCIATION PO Box 44, 500 Elm Grove Rd., Ste. 2I0, Elm Grove, Wl 53122 TEL 1-800-352-2981 EMAIL info@stafda.org WEB www.stafda.org STAFDA’S UPCOMING 47th ANNUAL CONVENTION & TRADE SHOW by Georgia H. Foley, CEO The Specialty Tools & Fasteners Distributors Association (STAFDA) will be holding its 47th Annual Convention & Trade Show, November 5~7 in downtown San Antonio, TX, at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center. The line-up of educational speakers, including keynote speaker - TV’s favorite contractor, Mike Holmes - along with other meeting details is posted to STAFDA’s website (stafda.org). Several new things are being introduced at the San Antonio meeting based on input from STAFDA’s manufacturer members. Exhibitors may showcase a new product in the STAFDA Power Aisle on Saturday, November 4 from 1 - 5 p.m. and again Sunday morning, November 5 from 7 a.m. - Noon. The Power Aisle coincides with main arrival times and it will be open to distributors only. “New Products” must have been introduced to the market after STAFDA’s 2022 San Diego in late October. Items truly must be “new” and not just repackaged, enhancements made to an existing product, or a rebranded item. Exhibitors may rent a lead retrieval unit or create a QR code to keep track of leads. Only one new product is allowed per exhibitor and there is no charge to place an item in the Power Aisle. Because STAFDA’s Trade Show is a buying show, exhibitors are encouraged to use a variety of tactics to let distributors know what STAFDA-only show specials, new products, or prize drawings they’ll be making available in San Antonio. That’s what STAFDA’s ShowMo Promo is all about! Exhibitors may upload brief video promos to showcase their products. The video(s) will be highlighted on the interactive floor plan on STAFDA’s website and Convention app. Exhibitors may login at any time and change the video(s) if they’d like to demo another product or unveil a new special. All show specials, prize drawings, and new products will also appear on the expanded Exhibitor Listing on STAFDA’s website, stickers denoting what a manufacturer is offering will be placed at the entrance to their booth, and beside the company’s listing in the on-site convention program. There was a request for private meeting rooms on the show floor so STAFDA is providing Business Appointment Centers (BACs) where exhibitors may reserve time in 30 minute increments to meet with their distributors. Some companies prefer to do business away from their booth yet not take people off the show floor. The BACs fill this need. Each BAC will be a furnished 3 meter x 3 meter room with a locking door. There is no limit on how many blocks of time can be reserved by an exhibitor. SHOW EVENT ARTICLE CONTINUED ON PAGE 134

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