WINTER 2023

72 THE DISTRIBUTOR’S

72 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 SUNSET ON SAN DIEGO: STAFDA’S 46th ANNUAL CONVENTION & TRADE SHOW by Georgia H. Foley, CEO Members of the Specialty Tools & Fasteners Distributors Association (STAFDA) sailed to a spectacular finish for the Association’s 46th Annual Convention & Trade Show, October 30-November 1, in San Diego. Nearly 2,800 attendees came aboard in the San Diego Convention Center to get the absolute most out of the three-day event featuring live demos, a buying show, networking, a student hiring event, and more. After years of pandemic travel restrictions, STAFDA was pleased to welcome the return of members from outside the U.S. STAFDA’s two-day Trade Show was bustling with 438 booths, including four islands. Educational Workshops Sunday provided a curriculum easily customized by attendees who could pick two topics to meet their interests. Welcoming newcomers to the industry, the NextGen Networking Luncheon featured a buffet lunch and discussion for attendees under 35 years old. The six-member panel – featuring two distributors, two manufacturers, and two rep members – generated conversation on a variety of inter-generational and industry-wide topics. Audience members included college students studying industrial distribution, supply chain management, or related majors. The students also participated in all Convention activities including a Speed Interviewing session with STAFDA members seeking new employees and interns. They also competed in the first STAFDA Supply Chain Competition where SHOW EVENT ARTICLE college teams competed to turn around a fictional struggling manufacturer by creating different solutions for purchasing, operational, and sales challenges. There were stilt-walking lions, a Skeleton Band, dozing koalas, and STAFDA members in their most-wicked costumes during the Boo at the Zoo Opening Party at the San Diego Zoo. Attendees had the whole grounds to themselves to enjoy foods from around the world, visit with the animals, and check out their costumed colleagues. Monday morning, STAFDA President, Allan Guthrie of DXP Enterprises, Omaha, NE, was suited up and ready to get the General Session rolling as he focused on the state of the distribution industry and the unique career paths people take to reach the STAFDA markets. Associate speaker Jude Nosek, Keson LLC, Aurora, IL, discussed the different suits people wear as they tackle running their companies – from marketing to sales to human resources. CONTINUED ON PAGE 130

STAFDA 46th ANNUAL CONVENTION & TRADE SHOW SAN DIEGO, CA - OCTOBER 30 – NOVEMBER 1, 2022 CONTINUED ON PAGE 131