After almost two years of virtual meetings and an inability to see one another face-to-face, NAHAD was thrilled to host its Annual Meeting and Convention, at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, Scottsdale, AZ. Adhering to all of the safety guidelines set by the state of Arizona, NAHAD went to great lengths to create a dynamic meeting that brought the industrial hose community together.
By Angelica Pajkovic
Re-united
Held from the 12th to 15th of June 2021, the annual NAHAD Convention once again successfully provided a dynamic meeting point for a diverse range of hose professionals. In attendance with experts from around the world, the Hose + Coupling World team was excited to partake in the much anticipated event filled with educational sessions and networking opportunities.
Rather than a five-day event, as has been done in the past, this year’s convention consisted of a four-day long program, which provided ample time for learning, reconnecting, and forming new business connections.
Two hundred companies from 42 states, the District of Columbia, and eight countries gathered at the 2021 NAHAD Annual Meeting and Convention. In total, there were nearly 600 attendees, including 172 distributor and manufacturer organizations.
“The NAHAD convention is a great place to connect with people who are business associates that often become friends. The key players are there, and you get to meet with them with less distractions than the office, in a more casual environment. The convention properties are always fantastic too!” – Jeff Newell Project Manager for Sales and Marketing Dixon Valve
Dynamic Program
To kick off the event, NAHAD President Sam Petillo welcomed attendees and expressed his gratitude to the association’s members and staff. “I am very proud of NAHAD’s leadership for being bold and pulling together a Convention with all of the challenges we faced,” Petillo said.
Following his address, attendees had the opportunity to hear from economist and market analyst Connor Lokar of ITR Economics. In his presentation “Managing in an Uncertain Economy,” he discussed labour shortages and supply change challenges and how they will impact the future economic market. On Sunday afternoon members gathered for the presentation by Emmy award winner and best-selling author Ryan Avery. Avery spoke on the critical importance of effectively communicating with customers by making a true connection instead of looking to close a sale. Attendees learned words to eradicate from their vocabulary, as well as how to improve storytelling techniques.
To conclude the first day, attendees gathered at the lovely sunset beach pool for the Conventions opening party. Here members had the opportunity to truly reconnect with their industry peers or network and socialize with new potential connections.
“Based on the networking and the educational content, the cost of attending the convention is paid back in spades.” – Karen Brandvold, CFO & VP, Omni Services, Inc.
Day Two
Ian Heller, founder and senior partner of Distribution Strategy Group, began the second day of the Convention by sharing his expertise and strategies on how members could prepare for emerging technologies and new competitors. The members luncheon followed closely after and acted as the platform for the remainder of the day’s speakers. The luncheon began with the presentation of the 2021 George W. Carver Award, which was awarded to Thomas Paff of Campbell Fittings. As Mr. Paff was unable to attend this year’s event, the award was accepted by his son, Tom Paff, on his behalf.
The much anticipated keynote address, given by Coach Herm Edwards, followed directly after. Edwards, the current head football coach at Arizona State University, shared his insights how to develop true leadership and his outlook on life. He touched upon his career as a professional football player, coach and ESPN studio analyst, as well as his philanthropic work.
Day Three
The last session was held on the third day of the event. It consisted of the organization’s annual business meeting and was closely followed by the welcoming of three new members to the board: Roy Torres of SunSource-GHX Industrial, John Tattersall of Frank Murken Products, and Chris Schadewald with Eaton.
The highly anticipated Showcase of Hose Solutions opened immediately after the last session. More than 100 exhibitors set up in the Palomino Ballroom with displays featuring the latest innovations in products and technologies. A grab-and-go lunch allowed attendees to walk the aisles and make further connections with colleagues.
As the evening arrived, Convention attendees had one last event: the Closing Party. Members met in the Palomino Foyer for an evening of Southwestern fare and fun and games. It was the perfect time for members to look back over the successful 2021 Convention and say goodbye.
“Being our first NAHAD event to attend and relatively new to the industry, we felt very welcome and still encouraged to share our experiences with major distributors and manufacturers alike. I urge all small to medium size members of NAHAD to participate, interact, and learn from the cornerstones that help build the convention into what it is today.” – Colton Reed, President, Coastal Hose and Supply
Looking Forward
In addition to five General Session speakers, the Showcase of Hose Solutions, and multiple networking opportunities, this year’s program also included additional time for suppliers and distributors to host company meetings and interact with each other directly. The location also included ample outdoor venues for expanded footprints for NAHAD’s hospitality events hosted by its manufacturer community.
The Hose + Coupling World team was thrilled to have been able to attend this year’s event and is looking forward to meeting the NAHAD members again in Miami for the 2022 NAHAD Convention.
For more information about upcoming NAHAD Meeting and Conventions please email Molly Alton Mullins at: mmullins@nahad.org or visit: nahad.org/convention.