When was the last time you sat down with your most valuable partners under one roof and built your short- and long-term business plans?
That’s exactly what distributors can do at the North American Association of Floor Covering Distributors (NAFCD) Annual Convention and Executive Networking Forum. This event, co-hosted again with the North American Building Materials Association, will bring hundreds of executives and senior leaders together from the top distributors and manufacturers in floor covering.
The 2012 Executive Networking Forum features a new sample-free and display-free format, allowing exhibiting manufacturers and distributor attendees to achieve more significant goals. Booths are set up to provide discrete, comfortable meeting spaces, providing more flexibility to talk with new and existing partners about business, strategy and where each other’s companies and products are heading. Instead of displaying products and simply selling goods, exhibitors and attendees will be able to identify and develop mutually beneficial opportunities for growth.
Distributors will be able to set and accept appointments with current and new suppliers to develop business plans, set sales strategies and learn how to best do business with each other. Without the distraction of products, attendees will be able to get into the critical details that are crucial to doing business, such as logistics, credit, merchandising and more.
In addition to the business opportunities of the Executive Networking Forum, attendees will hear industry experts share the latest in trends, policies and economic projections during the NAFCD convention. Sessions address the industry’s most pressing problems and allow attendees to hear what other leaders in the industry are doing.
Nationally recognized speakers will share their expertise on economic trends, driving sales, relationship building and upcoming policy issues. Keynote speaker Dana Perino, co-host of Fox News’ “The Five,” brings a unique viewpoint from her time inside the White House, providing insight into the current political climate that will give you a clear picture of the changes to come.
The annual convention also offers valuable training for branch managers through its Distribution Management University, taking place in conjunction with the convention, Nov. 13 and 14. This intensive two-day course, facilitated by Jim Ambrose, provides the fundamental business skills and leadership training for today’s wholesale distribution branch manager. Attendees will come away with the tools to improve market knowledge, be more effective at directing the sales organization, and to create a strong branch team that provides customer value and improves cost productivity.