NFDA TODAY: Your National Fastener News January 2015
President’s Message By Paul Tiffany You are the NFDA. You are the NFDA. You are the NFDA!
As we have moved into the new year, I am happy to report that both membership and participation are on the rise. I look forward to this trend continuing into 2015.
The Executive Retreat held in Naples, Florida was a huge success. Special thanks to Gary Cravens, Bill Derry, Ed McIlhon, Kevin Queenin, and Jim Ruetz for planning the retreat, as well as developing and delivering the peer-to-peer learning content. The presenters and open dialogue covered “The Ins and Outs of Selling Your Business or, Buying a Business To Grow Your Company,” “The Benefits of a High Performance Culture,” and “What Shapes Your Supply Chain.” Joe Greenslade also fielded members’ questions during his fastener technology update. Our NFDA Winter Meeting in Charleston, South Carolina is around the corner. Hosted at the historic Francis Marion Hotel, this part of the country should look great at the end of February, with average temperatures that could be close to 70º. Our planning committee continues to provide strong content and engagement opportunities, along with an optional tour of Nucor Steel.
In This Issue President’s Message Associate Chair Message Winter Meeting Annual Meeting Fastener Standards Update Training Opportunities
As a reminder, the NFDA is only as strong as our members and how we engage. In addition to the conferences and retreat, we encourage our members to get involved in a committee or task force. Your input on key issues affecting our industry, what we can do to provide additional value to members, future executive level content, and conference planning are critical to our success. Please feel free to contact me if you are interested in participating, or with any feedback you have on the NFDA. I can be reached at 602-352-815 or ptiffany@copperstate.com.
NFDA Events
Thank you for supporting the NFDA, and remember, you are the NFDA!
February 26-28, 2015 NFDA Winter Meeting Francis Marion Hotel Charleston, South Carolina
Kind regards, Paul
Associate Chair’s Message By Marty Goeree
June 10-11, 2015 NFDA Annual Meeting Although we all know that the American folk song legend Bob Dylan was not singing about Crowne Plaza Chicago the fastener industry and the NFDA specifically when he wrote one of his more well-known O’Hare Hotel lyrics for the song “I Feel a Change Comin’ On”, he very well could have been. The second verse is especially prophetic where he writes and sings: Rosemont, Illinois We got so much in common In conjunction with We strive for the same old ends Fastener Tech ‘15 And I just can’t wait Wait for us to become friends I feel a change coming on And the fourth part of the day is already gone Although the official mandate of the NFDA is to advocate on behalf of the distribution members, it is far more than that. It serves to bring us together, regardless of the niche we individually carve in the fastener industry. In today’s ever changing environment, the need for partners to achieve success in growth has never been truer than it is now. As you might recall from our biannual ESPS meeting in New Orleans, our keynote speaker spoke enthusiastically about that exact point. He urged us to get out from behind our desks and out of the office to forge relationships with partners in new markets, new geographies, and new industries to drive the growth of our companies. He further surmised that, without the partner network and without working collaboratively, growth would be very difficult to achieve. He persuaded us to find partners, share ideas, and collaborate to find common ground so a “win-win” scenario can be achieved. I remember feeling compelled to get out of my comfort zone and to seek out partners in industry to work with. Since then we have launched a new product, opened up new markets, and are using our relationships domestically to support customers globally. Maybe it was the right message at the right time, but nonetheless the message was motivational and helpful, even if it were just a reaffirmation of strategy. The NFDA certainly does more than just advocate on behalf of its distribution members: it provides us with an opportunity to network, share, and grow together. “We strive for the same old ends, and I just can’t wait to be friends.” Maybe Mr. Dylan was writing about us after all?
Marty January 2015
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