PTDA's 50th Industry Summit included motion control showcase.

Power Transmission Distributors Association Nov 17, 2010

Press Release Summary:

Comprised of educational sessions on industry trends, distributor-manufacturer meetings, and peer networking forums, PTDA's 50th Anniversary Industry Summit provided networking and learning opportunities for those in power transmission/motion control industry. Highlights included information on emerging wind energy market, specifics on driving new business by leveraging Web 2.0, and advice on how to maintain corporate expertise via intra-company skills and knowledge transfer.

Original Press Release:

PTDA 50th Anniversary Industry Summit Overview

As the premier networking and educational event for the power transmission/motion control industry, PTDA's Industry Summit provides unparalleled networking opportunities, outstanding educational programming and exceptional social events. Attended by top-level decision-makers from leading distribution and manufacturing firms, the Industry Summit is a unique mix of educational sessions on industry trends, distributor-manufacturer meetings and peer networking forums.

Against the rich backdrop of Phoenix, Ariz., the 50th Anniversary Industry Summit is designed to help distributors and manufacturers work together to move their companies and the industry forward. Keynote and education sessions help attendees grow their businesses and bottom lines by focusing on using existing capabilities and careful planning to tap into new markets and capturing opportunities.

PTDA 50th Anniversary Industry Summit at a Glance

Held October 21-23 at the J.W. Marriott Desert Ridge in Phoenix, Ariz.

Themed "A Summit of Possibilities."

As of October 11, 2010, there were 676 registered attendees -- 160 distributor delegates; 314 manufacturer delegates.

The total number of delegates is up 25 percent compared to 2009, and companies represented are up 12 percent from the previous year.

International delegates from Canada, France, Germany, Mexico, Trinidad and The United Kingdom.

Industry Summit Highlights

Opening keynote address by Mike Rayburn, the "World's Funniest Guitar Virtuoso."

The inside scoop on the emerging wind energy market with Tom Maves, deputy director, Manufacturing and Supply Chain, from the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) and Brian Lind, sourcing manager with Iberdrola Renewables.

Specifics on driving new business by leveraging Web 2.0 for B2B Marketing with David Griffith, president and CEO, Modern Group Ltd.

Maintain corporate expertise by transferring the skills and knowledge in seasoned employees to others in the company with Wayne Rivers, president of The Family Business Institute Inc.

Make sense of the economy with noted economist Alan Beaulieu.

Executive Vice President Mary Sue Lyon was honored for 16 years of service to the association. Lyon is retiring at the end of 2010.

50th Anniversary Activities

PTDA was founded on February 10, 1960. The first "annual convention" was held later the same year at Chicago's Hotel Sherman.

Past leaders and founding members were recognized at the Welcome Breakfast and Keynote
- Seven of the association's eight founding member companies were represented.
- Nearly 30 of the association's past Presidents and Manufacturer Council Chairs were present.
- Audio recordings of Jerry Etheridge, chairman emeritus of founding member company Miller Bearings, and Gary Martin, vice chairman of founding member company Martin Sprocket and Gear, provided a look into the early days of the association.

PTDA gave away 50 $50 Major League Baseball gift cards in celebration of their golden anniversary.

A 50th Anniversary Timeline display in the Resource Center shared highlights from the association's storied history.

Members predicted innovations for the next 50 years - both in the PT/MC industry and the world.

MD-IDEX

The Industry Summit's signature event, the Manufacturer-Distributor Idea Exchange (MD-IDEX), efficiently brings together existing and potential channel partners to strategically plan for the upcoming year. With a mix of pre-scheduled appointments and open times, it's a cost- and time-effective way for distributors and manufacturers to conduct high-level meetings.

The 2011 program featured well over 400 meetings through pre-scheduled appointments and open times.

Motion Control Technical Conference and Showcase

For the fifth year, the Industry Summit includes a Motion Control Showcase, featuring 20 motion control suppliers with live demonstrations of the latest hardware. The showcase is targeted at members considering expansion into the motion control arena, looking for additional suppliers to support current offerings or interested in networking with other market players.

The showcase is preceded by the panel discussion Motion Control: Accelerating the Opportunity. This panel discussion breaks down the barriers to expansion and simplifies the steps involved in growing your own Mechatronics business.

Founded in 1960, the Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA) is the leading association for the industrial power transmission/motion control (PT/MC) distribution channel. A U.S.-based trade association, PTDA represents 185 power transmission/motion control distribution firms that generate more than $10 billion in sales and span 3,500 locations in North America and 11 other countries. PTDA members also include 181 manufacturers that supply the PT/MC industry.

PTDA is dedicated to providing exceptional networking, targeted education, relevant information and leading-edge business tools to help distributors and manufacturers meet marketplace demands competitively and profitably. For more information, visit www.ptda.org.