The Specialty Tools & Fasteners Distributors Association hosted its inaugural Excellence in Distribution event March 12-14 in downtown Nashville, which brought together STAFDA members and non-members from the U.S. and Canada to network and learn during a two-and-a-half-day content program.

Designed specifically for professionals in construction, industrial distribution and supply chain industries, the event featured 15 industry experts who shared their insights into what’s new in the wholesale distribution and supply chain arena. Those experts delivered education courses in inventory management, human resources, sales, profitability, supply chain management, AI and more. The event wrapped with an interactive panel discussion on the future of distribution.

Attendees also had the opportunity to visit the Jack Daniel’s Distillery in Lynchburg to see how they handle the manufacturing and international distribution of their famed Tennessee sippin’ whiskey. 

“I left with many takeaways and the timing could not have been better for me personally as it fit well for my on-boarding to a new company and role,” said Gregg Futey, Wright Tool’s Assistant Vice President. 

STAFDA noted that EiD featured speakers carefully selected based on their years of experience and proven success in their respective fields. Topics were tailored to fit the needs and experience levels of the workshop participants. Attendees were able to participate in hands-on workshops where they interacted not only with the instructors but with their peers as well. 

“The STAFDA leaders in my workshop were engaged the entire morning,” said Dr. Alan Amling, whose supply chain topic focused on ‘Organizational Velocity: Turbocharge Your Business to Stay Ahead of the Curve.’ “My workshop began at 8:00 a.m. on the last day of the event in a hotel in the heart of Nashville, with the SEC basketball tournament kicking off next door the night before. You can imagine how pleasantly surprised I was when more people showed up than were originally registered for my session and eager to learn.”

Along with recapping the event, STAFDA shared that it will again hold EiD next March at the Hilton Nashville. The association advises to visit ExcelinDist.org throughout the year as the agenda and speakers are finalized.