PTDA offers overview of PTDA 2011 Industry Summit.
Press Release Summary:
Held Oct 13-15 in Washington, D.C., PTDA 2011 Industry Summit provided unique mix of educational sessions on industry trends, distributor-manufacturer meetings, and peer networking forums. Final registration numbers indicate more than 530 industry professionals registered for and attended the conference. With theme of "CAPITOLizing on Change," event helped attendees grapple with perceived and actual changes the industry is experiencing through consolidation and technological advancement.
Original Press Release:
PTDA 2011 Industry Summit Overview
Chicago, Ill. - As the premier networking and educational event for the power transmission/motion control (PT/MC) industry, the PTDA Industry Summit provides unparalleled networking opportunities, outstanding 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. It is designed to help distributors and manufacturers work together to move their companies and the industry forward. Keynote and educational sessions help attendees grow their businesses and bottom lines by focusing on using existing capabilities and careful planning to tap into new markets and capture new opportunities.
Held in Washington, D.C., the 2011 Industry Summit fulfilled these general expectations, with an added emphasis on helping attendees grapple with perceived and actual changes the industry is experiencing through consolidation and technological advancement.
PTDA 2011 Industry Summit at a Glance
o Held October 13-15 at the Washington Hilton, Washington, D.C.
o Themed "CAPITOLizing on Change."
o Final registration numbers indicate more than 530 industry professionals registered for and attended the conference. Many brought spouses/companions or family members bringing the total in attendance to 708.
o The total number of delegates just topped 2010 numbers, which was up 25 percent compared to 2009.
o International delegates from Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Columbia, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Russia, Trinidad and The United Kingdom attended.
Industry Summit Highlights
o Opening keynote address by Alison Levine, "Ascending from Summit to Summit."
o Second keynote address by economist Alan Beaulieu of the Institute for Trend Research, "The Beaulieu Report."
o Workshop: "Websites That Work: Your Secret Online Weapon" by Tim Ash of Site Tuners.
o Workshop: "Rule Your Inbox: Don't Let You Tech Manage You" by Steve Turner of TurnerTime Management.
o A panel discussion: "Effects of Mergers and Acquisitions on The Distribution Channel" moderated by Barb Ross, vice president sales & marketing, Timken Drives LLC, with participating panelists Chris Bursack, director marketing, Industrial Supply Co., Inc.; Jay Greyson, principal, Supply Chain Equity Partners and co-founder, Vetus Parnters; George Rizza, president, Rossi Gear Motor Division, Habasit America; Steve Smidler, president, Kaman Industrial Technologies Corporation; and Ed Ralston, executive vice president, Baldor Electric Company, a member of the ABB Group.
o Distributors and manufacturers were each provided separate, distinct opportunities to network with their peer groups to share ideas, trends, problems and solutions during networking lunches and forums. Distributors heard from Jade West, senior vice president of government relations for the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors (NAW) during their luncheon. Manufacturers heard from Dave Asselin, vice president, Allied Associations and executive director of the Council of Manufacturing Associations at the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) during their luncheon. The Distributor Forum focused on "Big Issues for Small Distributors" such as value-added and fee-based services, processing of SPAs, and tiered distribution. To learn more, click here to be connected to a summary of the Distributor Forum prepared by PTDA staff. The Manufacturer Forum grappled with issues such as the expectations of distributors with regard to loyalty, demonstrating value in serving OEM customers, and distributor training.
The PTDA Industry Summit features invaluable networking, learning and social events including:
MD-IDEX
The Industry Summit's signature event, the Manufacturer-Distributor Idea Exchange (MD-IDEX), each year 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 600 meetings through pre-scheduled appointments and open times.
Motion Control Showcase
For the sixth year, the Industry Summit included 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.
A Monumental Affair - Closing Event
The closing event of the Industry Summit included a private social at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, where delegates and their spouses/companions and families enjoyed dinner and the opportunity to wrap up their convention activities, in addition to the chance to get up close with some true American treasures.
Looking to 2012
PTDA's 2012 Industry Summit is scheduled for October 18-20, 2012, at the Hyatt Regency Dallas in Dallas, Tex.
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 188 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 187 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.
For more information, visit www.ptda.org/IndustrySummit.
