Amplify Your Future - FPDA 2017

The 2017 Fluid Power Distributor Association / International Sealing Distribution Association Joint Industry Summit is taking place at the Music City Center in Nashville.  With over 250 attendees, this year's event has grown to a very robust position thanks to the leadership of both associations.


After a wonderful Welcome Reception at the Country Music Hall of Fame in downtown Nashville, the event kicked off with a presentation titled Economic Outlook for 2017 and Beyond by economist Chris Kuehl on Monday morning.  In this session, Dr. Kuehl discussed key indicators for the economy such as capacity utilization, the PMI index for optimism, and the Credit Managers' Index, a new one to me.



Next on the Monday agenda were two UID-In-A-Day sessions by Mike Marks and Don Buttrey.  Marks, of Indian River Consulting Group, addressed how distributors must move quickly to address today's challenges.  He talked about innovation sand how the game continues to change.  His session offered strategies for dealing with external changes and threats and referred the audience to a book titled Business Model Generation:  A Handbook for Visionaries, Game Changers, and Challengers by Alexander Osterwalder 
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Buttrey Sales Professional Training, Inc. gave a very interesting and informative session about Vital Planning Regimens for Sales Professionals and The Sell Process.  He talked about tactical selling and focusing on the customer.

On Tuesday morning, a lively panel discussion considered Facing the Forces of Change:  Navigating the Seas of Disruption where they current sales technology, social media, Amazon and more.

This has been a very successful Summit and I congratulate the organizers at FPDA and ISD for all of their efforts in putting together a meaningful and fun event.  Next year, the Summit will be held in Lake Tahoe at the Resort at Squaw Creek.  For more information visit their website.

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