Glen Ellyn, IL -- Programming at the Bearing Specialists Association (BSA) 2009 Annual Convention, May 2-5, 2009, at the Hyatt Grand Cypress Hotel, Orlando, FL, will be answering the question, “Are Manufacturers from Mars and Distributors from Venus”
Using an interactive, rapid-response survey that will instantly reveal onscreen distributor and manufacturer responses to a number of multiple choice questions, the program is expected to demonstrate how differently distributors and manufacturers think.
Convention planners call this the “honest, gut-check conversation between distributors and manufacturers that industry has needed, but never before achieved.” When you learn what your industry peers are thinking, you will be ready to meet their needs as well as yours and those of the end-user.
Facilitated by rapid-response electronics that will instantly reveal on-screen distributor and manufacturer responses as categories, not individuals, BSA believes participants will share genuinely honest responses because they are anonymous; all participants will see the same honest responses from other distributor and manufacturer attendees as categories.
Attendees will answer each multiple-choice question from their perspective as a distributor or manufacturer using a wireless keypad. The audience response system will separate the answers of distributors and manufacturers. Attendees will immediately see the aggregate responses of distributors and manufacturers on-screen.
The convention organizers say they are thrilled to deliver this unique opportunity for distributors and manufacturers to instantly and anonymously respond to the same set of questions and view the responses.
BSA’s Long Range Convention Planning and Distributor-Manufacturer Relations committees have repeatedly considered the differences in the way distributors and manufacturers think. This program is the result of those conversations. Two special sessions at the 2009 Convention will address this topic:
• On Sunday, May 3rd, attendees will respond to the multiple choice questions, answering each question from their perspective as a distributor or manufacturer using the wireless keypad. Attendees will immediately see the aggregate responses of distributors and manufacturers onscreen.
•On Monday, May 4th, a panel of industry leaders will analyze the results of these responses. Peter Negri of Jamaica Bearings will serve as the moderator for the panel.
When delegates learn what their industry peers are thinking, they can be ready to meet their needs as well as those of the end-user.
Convention programming is closely tied to the association’s Strategic Plan, which identifies BSA as “the forum to enhance networking, knowledge sharing, and to promote the sale of bearings through authorized distributors.”
Also for the first time ever, BSA will offer its own Industry Update, presented by association president Steve Durston, executive vice-president of Jamaica Bearings Company Inc.
As it has in the past, the association will also welcome Bruce Warmbold, president of the Schaeffler Group, representing the American Bearing Manufacturers Association (ABMA), to present an industry on the global bearing marketplace.
BSA will also welcome Tom DeLuca, who uses the power of suggestion, and humour to showcase the wonderful imaginations and personalities within the association audience. Part entertainment, part theatre, this program demonstrates the inherent creativity of the participants when they're relaxed, comfortable, and given permission to be themselves. It's also a reminder that our creativity lies just below the surface. DeLuca has his Master's degree in Psychology and honed his humorous side with Chicago's Second City Comedy Troup. The unique qualities of his Theatre of the Imagination have made DeLuca a regular on daytime talk shows, as well as the subject of feature articles in People and Rolling Stone magazines. This is the program that landed Tom DeLuca on the front page of the Wall Street Journal, and caught the attention of NBC's Dateline program.
Perhaps one of the most valuable aspects of the 2009 Annual Convention business program, BSA’s manufacturer-hosted Conference Tables Session, offers participants a unique opportunity to pre-schedule and plan for face-to-face meetings between distributors and manufacturers to address bearing industry concerns and resolve business problems. Convention attendees find these short, 30-minute meetings to be increasingly productive.
Online conference table registration will be available only to those who have registered to attend the 2009 Annual Convention. All distributors planning to attend the Conference Tables Session are encouraged to register as soon as possible to assure that they obtain appointments at their desired times. Distributors are also encouraged to let manufacturers with whom they have made appointments know what they expect to discuss with the manufacturers. Online conference table registration will be available Feb. 1 to April 1, 2009. After April 1st, convention attendees wishing to schedule conference table sessions may do so -- if space is available -- on-site May 2-3 at the BSA registration desk.
Prospective convention attendees are encouraged to link to the association’s convention website, www.bsaconventions.org, which includes a complete schedule of events, details on the Convention Business Program, a complete schedule of spouse programs, tantalizing descriptions of sporting and sightseeing opportunities, and a host of additional information and tips about social and networking opportunities.
In addition to the business program, BSA convention attendees consistently rate the informal networking opportunities at the convention and related social events to be one of the most valuable aspects of the annual event. The opening reception and dinner, manufacturer appreciation event, BSA golf and tennis competitions, and closing dinner dance add to the networking opportunities and fun for all attendees.
BSA is an international service and educational organization of distributors representing a total of almost 100 companies distributing factory-warranted ball-, roller-, and anti-friction bearings and invited manufacturers of bearings and related products
For more information on BSA contact the BSA office at (630) 858-3838; fax (630) 790-3095; email info@bsahome.org or visit the association website at www.bsahome.org.
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