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 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
STAFDA 47th ANNUAL CONVENTION & TRADE SHOW SAN ANTONIO, TX - NOVEMBER 5-7, 2023