As we emerge from this seemingly never-ending pandemic, I realize how much I value connecting with my industry friends.

While it was severely limited over the last two years, I gained a greater appreciation of the time spent together. The chance to meet with industry friends, swap ideas, share challenges and gain insights is critical to the success of our business, and I would guess yours as well.

There is no better way to meet and connect with people in our industry than being an active member of ASA. The whole idea of networking is one of the association’s four core principles. And it is one of the most important ways the association provides value to its members.

With competition increasing from inside our industry as well as threats from outside, distributors are looking for ways to stand out and remain relevant, especially during these disruptive times. Increasingly, they are looking to their trade associations to provide quality solutions and support. ASA is here to provide it.  

From NETWORK, our national conference where the industry leaders meet, to our engaging peer-to-peer sessions where the industry’s best and brightest are building their future networks, ASA is the industry leader in providing you and your team the ability to connect, network and ultimately grow your business more profitably.

CONNECT

Our CONNECT peer-to-peer online communities, launched at the beginning of the worldwide pandemic nearly two years ago, has proven to be a formula for great success. Hundreds of participants in nine monthly communities meet virtually to tackle topics from how to improve productivity in a shrinking labor market to finding unique ways to connect with customers. These virtual monthly networking programs continue to create increased interest among members.

The goals of these virtual CONNECT sessions are threefold:

• Develop solutions to common challenges through online facilitated interaction with peers of the same job function.
• Provide an efficient, exclusive, economical online forum for professionals to build relationships with their peers.
• Create value for association members by building deeper relationships within ASA.

Women in Industry

One of ASA’s fastest-growing peer networking programs, our Women in Industry division, has attracted 168 companies and more than 600 participants. Its stated mission is to provide practical guidance, direction and education to assist women in the PHCP-PVF industry reach their personal and professional goals.

In addition to developing the career path for the talented women throughout our companies, the Women in Industry division also works to attract, retain and promote qualified and educated women for the long-term sustainability of the PHCP-PVF industry.  

ELEVATE, the division’s annual conference, attracts more than 200 attendees who are provided opportunities to network with their peers to support their careers. The leadership of this division is making a real impact with today’s companies and tomorrow’s possibilities as we look to expand the role of women throughout our industry.

Emerging Leaders

As long-serving industry professionals transition into retirement, the demand to fill these critical jobs is escalating. ASA’s Emerging Leaders division has a long history of connecting and developing the leadership skills of our industry’s next generation through educational and networking events specific to the needs of our member firms’ emerging leaders.

Through EMERGE, this division’s annual conference, a rapidly growing group of industry professionals are building the key relationships that will serve them well as they continue to build their successful careers.

NETWORK

NETWORK, ASA’s annual national conference, is the only event that connects all our industry’s constituents together in one place. From national firms to independent family-run businesses, suppliers and manufacturers’ representatives, our annual conference has become the place to be if you want to connect your company to your industry.

In fact, NETWORK has become the largest educational event in our industry. This past fall in Las Vegas at NETWORK2021, nearly 700 attendees had 27 educational sessions from which to choose. The educational opportunities were bolstered by the new GREAT IDEAS roundtable session where ASA member employees shared best practices and innovative ideas on how businesses can do things better.

Industry leaders are always looking for creative ideas and the chance to learn new best practices. NETWORK has become the place where they can attend highly interactive sessions and leave armed with key takeaways that can be immediately implemented when they return to their businesses.

Building your networks and gaining the insight you need to remain relevant is just a click away. Check out what we have in store for 2022 to help here.

Bill Condron is president and CEO of Concord, New Hampshire-based The Granite Group and is the 2022 ASA president.