The odds are good for a great NAHAD experience in April

NAHAD’s 35th Annual Meeting and Convention is taking over the BellagioResort and Casino in Las Vegas, April5-10, bringing together more than 1,000hose industry professionals all under oneroof. The event, geared towards bothmanufacturers and distributors, givesample opportunities to network and learnfrom experts and each other throughgeneral sessions, organized and informalnetworking events, an exhibition, and socialactivities.

Image courtesy of MGM Resorts International

Saturday, April 6

The event will be kicked off Saturday with Ken Gronbach, demographer, futurist and author who writes about how countries’ age curves interact to create opportunities and challenges today and in the future. Gronbach’s presentation, “The Open Secret of the Demographic World” explores how waves of generations redetermine our fortunes and futures. Gronbach determined the complex ways that America’s Baby Boomers, Generation X, Generation Y — and other generations in other countries — interact to shape the world’s societies. He will also talk about what the future will bring for people, profits and the planet.

Saturday’s highlights include an expanded speed networking program and an Emerging Leaders session led by Randy Disharoon, “Leaders Are Not Born. They Are Built.” Designed for company executives and sales/branch managers, this interactive course introduces the four phases of leadership development – Build Within, Build Around, Build Up and Build Out.

The evening continues with a firsttimers happy hour and concludes with the popular Opening Reception, which provides an excellent opportunity to network, meet old friends and colleagues, as well as meet new people while enjoying live entertainment, beverages, and food outdoors on the Bellagio terrace.

Sunday, April 7

Sunday morning affords companies a chance to host sales meetings on-site. The first general session begins at 10 a.m. with Sara Lebens’ talk, “How Women Will Boost Your Bottom Line,” which is sponsored by Women in NAHAD (WIN). She’ll provide tips on developing the most effective strategies to recruit, retain, and develop your top female talent from a global HR expert.

During the Members’ Luncheon, The Carver Award will be presented and Mike Staver will present on “How to Stay Calm Under Pressure.” In this session, participants will learn what it takes to stay calm and focused even if they don’t like the circumstances. The final general session on Sunday will be a Distribution Workshop by Dirk Beveridge, “INNOVATE! How to Create Relevancy in the Age of Rapid Change.” In this inspiring workshop, attendees will learn how how to create a culture of innovation. The evening concludes with manufacturer and associate hospitality suites.

Monday, April 8

In addition to tours, free time to have fun on your own, and more company meeting opportunities, Monday includes a general opening session with Denise Keating, “The Amazon Effect,” which will look at the Amazon Effect and offer insights on how and why disruptors are targeting traditional channels. Keating, President of DATAgility, will provide lessons that can be leveraged by distributors and manufacturers, so the industry can adapt and thrive in the age of disruption to remain the channel of first choice for their customers.

Afterwards, attendees can choose from one of two UID Workshops on human resources or sales. Pam Krivda, will present “Dealing with Difficult HR Decisions” while Joe Ellers will present “New Processes of Distribution Sales Management.”

Tuesday, April 9

Tuesday kicks off with the ever-popular Showcase of Hose Solutions, a five-hour opportunity to visit the exhibition floor and meet with leaders in the industry with direct purchasing power. The day ends with the Closing Casino Party from 5 – 7 p.m.

Optional tours throughout the week include Culinary Adventures, Hoover Dam and Boulder Brewery, Las Vegas City Tour and Neon Museum, and Cork and Thorn – Wine and Floral tour.

Visit nahad.org for complete details and to register.