It was a long time coming, but members of the Specialty Tools & Fasteners Distributors Association (STAFDA) were able to gather together – face to face – in Orlando, at last. Nearly 2,400 attendees came to the Orange County Convention Center to network, demo products, and learn from the industry’s best during the Association’s 45th Annual Convention & Trade Show, October 24-26.
STAFDA’s 46th Annual Convention & Trade Show will be Oct. 30-Nov. 1, 2022, in San Diego. Registration opens June 27 at 8:00 a.m. (Central). You must be a member to attend.
STAFDA’s 2021 Trade Show featured 267 exhibitors for 10 hours over two afternoons. The smaller Trade Show, however, was very well received: Attendees and exhibitors enjoyed the chance to spend more time together with in-depth conversations and unhurried opportunities to foster new relationships. The quality of contacts and leads was exceptional. Unfortunately, STAFDA’s members outside the U.S. were unable to make the trip to Orlando due to pandemic restrictions.
The Specialty Tools & Fasteners Distributors Association
Recapping the Week
Sunday
Educational Workshops Sunday created a customizable curriculum for attendees who could choose two topics that best suited their needs. Subjects included Decoding Body Language to Increase Sales (Janine Driver); How to Work with and Lead People Not Like You (Kelly McDonald); The Unspoken Rules of Leadership (Jamie Turner); and Overcoming Seven Deadly Communication Sins (Skip Weisman). That afternoon, Paul Reilly’s Targeted Workshop focused on the upcoming revision of the STAFDA Sales PRO outside sales manual and the research he conducted to support it.
With an eye to the future, the NextGen Networking Luncheon invited those members under 35 years old to participate in a discussion with a distributor, manufacturer, and rep member-led panel offering feedback and industry insights. University students from across the country participated in a variety of Convention activities including the NextGen Luncheon and a Speed Interviewing session, an invaluable opportunity to meet with members seeking to hire new employees or interns. Each of the students has industrial distribution, supply chain, or construction management major and was selected to participate in the entire Convention & Trade Show.
Members let their competitive nature loose during the OverDrive Opening Party. All it took was a few go-karts, some killer swings, and a visit from LPGA superstar Annika Sorenstam, and attendees were laughing and enjoying their evening at Andretti Indoor Karting and Topgolf. After more than 18 months of virtual meetings, STAFDA’s Opening Party was just what the crowd needed to get back into the swing of things.
The Specialty Tools & Fasteners Distributors Association
Monday
Don Kudlak, president, Aerosmith Fastening SystemsAerosmith Fastening Systems
During his keynote presentation, Bill Taylor, co-founder of Fast Company magazine and bestselling author, continued on the day’s theme of Performing While Transforming. He noted the world has been experiencing unprecedented change, and now is the time to do ordinary things in extraordinary ways. Taylor discussed the three leadership challenges facing members in this changing world – What is your definition of success? Do you work as distinctively as you hope to compete? Are you learning as fast as the world is changing? – and strategies for meeting these challenges head on. Taylor joined attendees during the Trade Show following the General Session as he signed copies of his book, Simply Brilliant, in STAFDA Central.
The Trade Show exhibitors spotlighted the newest products and show-only specials, welcoming distributors’ pent-up demand that had amassed since the 2019 STAFDA Convention in Nashville. Also within the exhibit hall, the Tech & Consultants Pavilion offered business-building ideas featuring software, advice, discounted services, and one-on-one conversations with the industry’s best service providers and business experts.
Tuesday
Two for Tuesday Workshops included Alan Beaulieu’s highly anticipated Economic Update including his in-depth research and stunningly accurate predictions on where the economy, politics, and the global supply chain would be leading members in the near future. Mark Sangster took on the New Cyber Threat Landscape as he outlined how to prevent businesses from losing money, credibility, and customers as the result of hackers and ransomware thieves. The Trade Show then reopened for five hours, giving exhibitors hard-won time to carry on extensive conversations with STAFDA distributors.
The Specialty Tools & Fasteners Distributors Association
Spouse/companion day tours to Disney Springs and the Showcase of Citrus included hot-air balloon and monster truck rides (but not at the same time). After a busy day, the Big Splash Closing Party and the Aqualillies – a synchronize swimming team – surprised attendees with an amazing synchro routine that was the perfect ending to the convention and trade show.
New STAFDA Officers Announced
Members of STAFDA elected new leadership for 2022 during this year's convention and trade show.
Following the event’s General Session, Allan Guthrie, Director of Strategic Sourcing at DXP Enterprises, Omaha, NE, became STAFDA President. A STAFDA member since 2005, DXP has grown into an Industrial Distribution Top 20 Company. Guthrie heads up a group of Sourcing Specialists providing information to the Supply Chain Services Division nationally.
Harry Klassen, President and Owner of Fastek, Inc., St. Catharines, ON, was elected STAFDA Vice President. Fastek specializes in fasteners, power tools, and safety supplies and has three brick and mortar stores along with two mobile site stores. Fastek has been a STAFDA member since 1998.
Maria Cipponeri Polidoro, Act Tool Repair, Inc., Wantagh, NY, was elected to a three-year term on STAFDA’s Board of Directors.
Lenny Colasuonno, Aerosmith Fastening Systems, Indianapolis, IN, was also announced as a new member of the Manufacturer Liaison Committee.
Elections are held every fall with results announced at the Annual Convention.
