Because there is nothing like shared past experience ¾including the impact of a grueling recession and other economic realities ¾to help us confront the next challenge, the Bearing Specialists Association (BSA) 2010 Annual Convention, May 1-4 at the Naples Grande Beach Resort and Spa, Naples, Florida, has adopted the theme “A Look Back to Step Ahead” to recognize and build on the association’s 44 years of industry leadership as it looks ahead to new opportunities and markets in the recovering economy.
BSA believes there has never been a more important time for industry leaders to meet. Overall economic indicators continue to trend up. Prospects for recovery within the industry are promising. An independent study by the Freedonia Group, LLC projects ball, roller and plain bearing demand in the U.S. will expand 3.0-percent annually through 2013 to $10.6 billion. As economic news continues to develop, the most important question is: how prepared are you to leverage this growth?
The goal of the 2010 Annual Convention is to help attendees answer that question with a 3-part presentation:
1.On Sunday, a panel of past industry leaders will provide the “Look Back,” discussing industry and economic lessons learned throughout the past twenty years, including their reflection on six different key topics of interest to the bearing industry. Moderated by Bill Childers, President of North American Sales, Rexnord Industries, LLC, Manufacturer Panelists will be Gus Kontonickas, NSK Precision Americas/The Timken Corporation/Loctite Industrial Div. Henkel Technologies/Thomson Industries, Inc.; Jamie Martin, The Timken Corporation/Torrington;
and Gene Yarussi, Emerson Power Transmission. Distributor Panelists will be Lathrop Smith, Industrial Supplies, Inc.; Tom Miller, Motion Industries, Inc.; and Tom Brown, Applied Industrial Technologies/Associated Bearings Company. Attendees will cast their honest and anonymous vote on audience response questions, facilitated by rapid-response electronics that will instantly reveal onscreen distributor and manufacturer responses as categories, not individuals.
2.Also on Sunday, Mike Arnold, Executive Vice President & President of the Bearings & Power Transmission Group at The Timken Company, and Bill Purser, President & COO of Applied Industrial Technologies, will present the Present Industry Overview, elaborating on the six key topics introduced by the Past Leaders Panel. Their analysis will shed light on how and why the bearing industry has evolved over the years, strictly focusing on what works and what doesn’t. Utilize their knowledge and insight to navigate your company's way out of the recession.
3.On Monday morning, a Future Panel of current industry leaders, lead by moderator Jeff Ramras, Vice President of Marketing & Supply Chain Management, Applied Industrial Technologies, will address the results of Sunday’s immediate audience responses and bring the audience from the present to the future with their engaging and innovative opinions.
BSA believes that both distributor and manufacturer attendees will find this is the conversation they want to be a part of. When you learn what your industry past and future leaders are thinking, you will be ready to exceed their needs and expectations as well as yours and those of the end-user.
The 2010 Annual Convention will also offer important industry updates from ABMA and BSA, and the traditional Conference Tables Session featuring pre-scheduled and planned conferences between distributors and manufacturers designed to resolve issues of mutual concern.
Naples Grande Beach Resort
The Naples Grande Beach Resort, located on 23 waterfront acres along the Gulf Coast in Naples, Florida is a proud member of the Hilton family and The Waldorf Astoria Collection. This property “sets the standard” for surrounding Naples hotels, treating guests and families to endless activities, incredible nearby sights, and an unmatched level of service and attention. Guests enjoy a three-mile stretch of powdery sand, stretching from the mangroves at Clam Pass Park to the tranquil waters of the Gulf of Mexico. The Naples Grande Beach Resort is just minutes from trendy shopping, thrilling attractions, and the Caribbean Gardens and Florida Everglades. Resort amenities include the Naples Grande Golf Club, an extraordinary 18-hole, par 72 course, 15 Har-Tru tennis courts, a state-of-the-art fitness center, the luxurious Golden Door Spa, and five premium restaurants. Ideally located seven miles northwest of Naples Municipal Airport (APF), the Naples Grande Beach Resort is just a short ride from Fort Myers and two hours from South Beach and Miami, Florida, for those who want to venture a little farther away.
BSA values – and welcomes – the participation of attendee spouses or companions at the 2010 Annual Convention. Experienced convention attendees tell us that their spouse is a valuable asset in helping them network and build relationships on a personal level. In many cases, the socializing among spouses leads to additional personal contacts among convention attendees. Because spouses are important to BSA events, members and participating manufacturers who register with their spouse/companion for the 2010 Annual Convention save $50 on registration. Spouses are welcome at all Annual Convention events. In addition, because Naples offers so many opportunities for shopping, relaxing, exploring the arts and nature, BSA has compiled a lengthy list of activity options on the convention website, with appropriate links so that spouse/companions may plan their own time. Because these diversions are more fun with friends, BSA has added a link to the association’s Electronic Address Book, so spouses can readily connect with other BSA friends as they make plans.
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 manufacturer appreciation event offer informal socializing and networking. On Sunday afternoon, the BSA Men’s and Women’s Tennis Round Robin event, chaired by Tom and Lori Olson, Bearing Engineering Company, welcomes all levels of play to the hotel’s courts. On Monday, BSA will host its traditional golf tournament at the Naples Grande Golf Club. This event is chaired by Andy Nations, Bearings & Drives, Inc. A pair of fishing events, chaired by Howard Gainey, Bearings & Drives, Inc., on Sunday and Monday afternoons offers the opportunity to meet with and enjoy other convention attendees as well as the outstanding sporting options of the Naples area. This year the convention closes with the BSA’s Got Talent Dinner Dance, a salute to BSA’s lighter side produced by Convention Co-Chair Kaye Negri and featuring live skits and videos from past conventions followed by dancing with DJ Randy.
BSA’s 2010 Annual Convention Committee is chaired by Peter and Kaye Negri, Jamaica Bearings Company, Inc. Committee members are Eduardo and Rosy Bichara, Baleromex, S.A. de C.V.; Howard and Teresa Gainey, Bearings & Drives, Inc.; Alfredo Bichara, Baleromex, S.A. de C.V.; and Bill and Laurie Childers, Rexnord Industries, LLC.
BSA is the “must belong to organization for authorized bearing distributors.” 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, the association’s mission says, “BSA is the forum to enhance networking and knowledge sharing and promote the sale of bearings through authorized distributors.” For more information about the BSA 2010 Annual Convention and/or to register, please visit the convention website, www.bsaconventions.org. 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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