ASSOCIATION WATCH Edited by Mike Santora • Editor
NAHAD postpones 2021 Annual Meeting and Convention until June NAHAD leadership announced it will postpone its 2021 Annual Meeting and Convention to now take place June 12-15, at the Marriott Marquis in San Diego. Initially scheduled for April 10-13, NAHAD’s leadership believes this delay will allow more of the NAHAD membership to attend the premier event in the hose and hose accessories distribution industry. “While we all are eager to get back to face-to-face meetings with our suppliers and customers, we felt this delay was necessary to allow additional time for vaccine distribution and for company travel bans to ease,” said Sam Petillo, president of Singer Equities Inc., and NAHAD’s 2021 President. “We feel that, by June, there will be a much greater opportunity for the NAHAD community to gather together safely and effectively for our Annual Convention in San Diego.” On average, NAHAD attracts 1,000 attendees for its Annual Convention each year, including educational sessions, networking opportunities, and more than 150 exhibits in the Showcase of Hose
Solutions. This year, the association is planning an event adhering to social distancing protocols and all San Diego County COVID-19 policies and procedures in place at the time of the 2021 Annual Meeting and Convention. The association also has altered its traditional cancellation guidelines, knowing that travel policies continue to change almost daily for many of its 500-member companies. “We know this year is unlike any other for our attendees and the entire industry,” said Molly Alton Mullins, NAHAD’s Executive Vice President. “As a result, we are considering all avenues possible to ensure a successful conference experience. This includes flexible refund policies and looking into alternative venues that meet the needs of the NAHAD Convention, if needed, by June. Communication is paramount in this situation, and we are in constant contact with Marriott Marquis management on jurisdictional restrictions in place that impact NAHAD’s Annual Convention.” More details on NAHAD’s 2021 Annual Convention can be found at www.nahad.org/convention, including the agenda, registration information, COVID protocols, and additional details on the Showcase and its refund policies. NAHAD’s leadership will continue to provide updates on developments related to the Annual Meeting & Convention as they occur and encourages members and related parties to provide feedback at mmullins@nahad.org. FPW
ESA now accepting scholarship applicants The Equipment Service Association’s (ESA) Scholarship Foundation is now accepting applications through April 30, 2021. Fully funded by donations, the Foundation has awarded more than $50,000 scholarships since launching in 1994. This year, three $2,000 scholarships will be awarded to ESA members, families, employees, and employees’ families for continuing education. To qualify, applicants must be sponsored by a current ESA member; must be enrolled in an accredited college, university, or trade school and be taking at least six credit hours in the Fall 2021 semester; and must have a minimum 2.5 grade point average. “This scholarship has helped more than 25 students further their education in fields ranging from Motorsports Engineering
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to Physical Therapy,” said Amy Luckado, Executive Director of ESA. “ESA is proud to help these members of our community further their education.” Candidates are required to complete the application and return it to the ESA Scholarship Committee no later than April 30. To learn more about the ESA Scholarship Fund, how to apply, or donate to continue the support of education in the community, visit www.2esa.org.
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