In February, the Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA) held its inaugural Industry Immersion Conference in Hollywood, FL.

The one-day intensive program — developed and led by power transmission/motion control (PT/MC) practitioners — aimed to advance the professional perspectives, experience and confidence employees and emerging leaders need to cultivate successful relationships within the industry, association officials said in an April 25 news release.

Michael Cinquemani, CEO of Master Power Transmissions, facilitated the conference, which included face-to-face networking, and:

• Panel discussions led by industry veterans who shared their experience and tips for navigating meaningful and productive relationships with colleagues, peers and current or prospective customers.
• Interactive sessions to help participants understand the “why” and “how” of creating a personal brand and ways to leverage it to networking and, ultimately, develop relationships built on trust.
• An overview of critical PTDA resources and programs to aid in building industry knowledge so to strengthen customer service and sales skills.

“Successful business teams and relationships don’t just happen, they are cultivated,” said Industry Immersion Task Force Chair and Vice President of Sales for Bearing Distributors John Newman. “This conference equipped those new to the PT/MC industry with the tools and skills needed to build and sustain the relationships essential for becoming a solutions-oriented partner.”

Attendees, such as Melissa Fuentes of RBI Bearing and Chris Myer of G&G Manufacturing Co., said they learned a lot about networking and building successful industry relationships.

PTDA is a global association for the industrial power transmission/motion control distribution channel. Headquartered in Chicago, PTDA represents PT/MC distribution firms that generate more than $20 billion in sales and span over 2,700 locations. PTDA members also include manufacturers that supply the PT/MC industry.