WINTER 2017

58 THE DISTRIBUTOR’S

58 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 FAX 262-784-5059 EMAIL info@stafda.org WEB www.stafda.org STAFDA’S 2016 ATLANTA CONVENTION AND TRADE SHOW RECAP by Georgia H. Foley STAFDA’s recent 40th Annual Convention & Trade Show, November 6-8, in Atlanta, attracted a total of 4,366 people with an 820 booth trade show, STAFDA’s largest show since 2008. Day One featured six educational workshops and one spouse/companion program. The business sessions covered today’s trending issues from the new overtime regulations to distributor/manufacturing relations, leadership to concierge customer service and effective negotiating skills. Two workshop presenters, Dr. Jeanne Hurlbert and Barry Wright, extended their stay through Day Three since they were learning as much from STAFDA members as they hoped attendees learned from them! Former lron Chef contestant and noted Atlanta chefturned-restaurateur, Kevin Rathbun, led a cooking demo on easy-to-make holiday hors d’oeuvres along with a sampling. The Opening Party that evening was held at the College Football Hall of Fame where eight members of the Atlanta Falcons drumline team performed outside the entrance before attendees came through the opening tunnel into the Quad where they were greeted by the HERM EDWARDS SHOW EVENT ARTICLE Wall of Helmets - over 765 college football team helmets displayed over three stories high. STAFDA members could show off their passing and kicking prowess on the first floor, try their hand at countless interactive exhibits on the second floor along with viewing JIMMY JOHNSON college football trophies, memorabilia, or watching a “Game Day” movie in the Hall’s IMAX theater. Histories of coaches, players and Hall of Fame inductees were displayed in interactive kiosks on the third floor. Food and beverage were plentiful while attendees could also watch Sunday Night Football or browse in the gift shop. Day Two began with the General Session featuring state of the industry speeches from STAFDA President, Terry Earle, Ft Worth Bolt & Tool, Ft. Worth, TX, and Associate speaker, Brandon Moss, Southwire Co., Carrollton, GA. Both addressed the labor shortage facing the construction industry and offered innovative insight: Earle spoke of bringing back retired employees to mentor the millennials while Moss talked about Southwire’s “12 For Life” program which fosters at-risk students to finish high school and learn a trade at the same time. STAFDA’s executive director, Georgia Foley, brought members up to speed on key Association developments the past year. CONTINUED ON PAGE 124