WINTER 2024

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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 EMAIL info@stafda.org WEB www.stafda.org
STAFDA ANNOUNCES THE LAUNCH OF ITS
EXCELLENCE IN DISTRIBUTION SCHOOL by Georgia H. Foley, CEO
For the past 23 years, the Specialty Tools &
Fasteners Distributors Association (STAFDA) has been a
co-sponsoring association of the University of Innovative
Distribution (UID), held each March in Indianapolis. It’s
a four-day management school for professionals in
distribution and the supply chain.
However, in February 2023, the
company managing UID terminated
their contract leaving the future of UID
in limbo. Because of the value and
importance of this program, STAFDA
recently announced its ‘Excellence
in Distribution’ school for all
professionals in the construction
and industrial space.
STAFDA’s CEO, Georgia Foley, stated, “UID was
originally called the University of Industrial Distribution
and catered to our industry. But a management decision
was made a few years ago to expand into other nonindustrial
channels of distribution and the name was
changed from ‘Industrial’ to ‘Innovative.’ This is being
reflected in UID surveys. Many people want a return to the
core curriculum of distribution and the supply chain. They
also want a shorter program and speakers to give their
‘best 90 minutes’ of coursework rather than a half, or full
day, program dedicated to one subject.”
‘Excellence in Distribution’ will be held March 12-14 in
Nashville. Foley stated, “The 2.5 days of quality education
at the Hilton Nashville will be taught by experts serving
our industry covering key topics: outside sales, branch
management, HR, profitability, warehousing and inventory,
the Infrastructure Act, and trending topics like AI. ALL
companies in the construction and industrial channel are
SHOW EVENT ARTICLE
encouraged to attend, not just STAFDA members. We’re
all in this space together and ‘Excellence’ is designed for
the betterment of our industry.”
STAFDA has prior experience: From the mid-80s to
1999, the Association ran a management school called
“Excellence in Management” originally held
at Texas A&M, then the University of
Colorado-Boulder, and finally Purdue
University.
‘Excellence’ sessions will end at
Noon on Thursday, March 14, but
for those who want a fun diversion
before heading home, an optional
tour of Jack Daniels will be offered.
Lynchburg Tennessee is only 90
minutes away and seeing how Jack handles distribution can
be a unique way to close out the experience.
STAFDA members will receive preferential pricing,
but ‘Excellence’ is designed to serve the construction,
industrial, fastener, electrical, HVAC, plumbing, LBM,
safety, concrete, or any other market in the construction
channel. It’ll be open to distributors, manufacturers, rep
agents, general contractors, industry buying groups, and
any professional who wants to learn and grow in their
career. Registration opened November 20 from www.
excelindist.org.
In addition, STAFDA continues to offer free, one hour,
monthly webinars covering pertinent business topics.
January’s topic is “Attracting & Hiring New Generation
Talent” and February’s program is “OSHA Regulations
Update: What’s New and What’s Upcoming.”
For more information on STAFDA, please visit www.
stafda.org or contact the office at 800-352-2981.
SPECIALTY TOOLS & FASTENERS DISTRIBUTORS ASSOCIATION