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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.
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