SATURDAY, MAY 15 · SUNDAY, MAY 16 · MONDAY, MAY 17 · TUESDAY, MAY 18 · WEDNESDAY, MAY 19

2:30 – 4:30 pm
Education Session

Create New Market Space with “Blue Ocean Strategy”

Dr. Andrea Simon, founder of Simon Associates Management Consultants (SAMC)

It has often been said, “If you want to change, have a crisis or create one.” Like it or not, the crisis is now before you. Doing business in the 21st century poses unprecedented challenges to your business and to you as an individual. Look around and you’ll see smart, forward-looking companies finding new ways to do business, opening new markets, and discovering new ways to fund growth. Others are stubbornly carrying on like they have always done, as day by day the economic world transforms itself and passes them by. Simon is an expert in the application of Blue Ocean Strategies to businesses that get “stuck”, stop growing, and need to create new market space. Blue Ocean Strategies follow a different mental path than traditional strategic thinking. Discover the key to this new process…while you still can.

In this session, you will learn how to:

• Add value in innovative ways to open up new market space in these changing times
• Discover where there are customers waiting who could do business with you but haven’t in the past
• Find a profitable path to repurpose your company’s talents through your own Blue Ocean Strategy

Evening Open for Associate Member & Allied Partner Events

Associate Member Event:

• Schneider Electric Hosted Breakfast: 7:00 - 9:00 am

8:00 am – 6:00 pm
Registration

Distributors and Manufacturers (separate groups)
Topics Determined by You!

Peer Networking Groups give you a chance to share your concerns about issues with non-competing executive peers. Share in this mutual exchange of ideas, information, and best practices while you forge new relationships and reinforce existing ones. You may think you’re the only one dealing with a certain problem, but chances are others have dealt with the same situation.

Separate registration required. Download Peer Networking form here.

11:15 am – 12:45 pm
Women in Industry Networking Luncheon

Building a Legacy of Leadership
Hattie Hill, author and CEO of HHE Management and Human Relations Consultants

Your impact as a leader lingers long after you are gone. Today's leaders must infuse a multigenerational team with spirit and develop relationships based on earned mutual trust. Leadership in these challenging times can be tough. Join your industry peers to share stories, make contacts, learn skills, and evaluate your leadership legacy. Hear from a proven leader, author, and coach to CEOs.
You will learn how to:

• Recognize the good intentions behind bad behavior 
• Foster a spirit of collaboration to achieve goals
• Apply the 5 critical skills to lead and live a happy life
• Determine the choices that make a difference 

Separate registration required. Download Women in Industry Networking Luncheon form here.

1:00 – 5:00 pm
General Session

The Recovery—How Long and How Fast? Economic Indicators for the Distribution Channel

Alan Beaulieu, senior analyst, economist, and a principal with the Institute for Trend Research

Get ready for the recovery – Really…Beaulieu will be presenting the economic outlook for our industry and for the global economy with the clarity that business leaders have come to expect from ITR®.  This is a must meeting for leaders looking to prepare for and navigate through the changes that are coming. One word of insight, one accurate prediction, one easy-to-apply solution, one thoughtful strategy, or one insightful suggestion can produce outstanding results and change the course of your business. Beaulieu and his firm have correctly called historic turning points in the economy 96% of the time, accurately predicting the 1999 recession, the 2000 dot.com meltdown, and the global financial crisis of 2008 that led to a stock market collapse. And, you, too, can profit from his predictions at NAED’s 2010 National Summit.

In this session, you will gain strategic insights on:

• The results of the government bailouts and whether or not to expect more
• What this recovery may look like
• The Administration’s impact on the economy
• Short-term and long-term economic forecasts--U.S. and abroad—and how they may directly impact your company
• Leading economic indicators you need to be watching and those you can safely ignore
• How inflation, interest rates, taxes, inflation, and the dollar may affect your business

Part 1 – The Art of the Steal

Frank Abagnale, former con-man, turned FBI crime-stopper

Back by popular demand, Abagnale--a favorite at NAED region conferences— will combine his fraud identity theft expertise with anecdotes from his time as one of the world’s foremost con men to give you the latest information to protect your business from embezzlement, forgery, counterfeit currency, check fraud, identity theft, and Internet fraud. He discusses the latest sophisticated white collar crime techniques made easy by technology, as well as your organization's potential liability under the new Uniform Commercial Code. Learn the latest document features and equipment to gain an edge in this costly battle.

Part 2 – Seminar: Preventing Theft and Fraud in the Electrical Distribution Industry

Frank Abagnale, in conjunction with a panel of NAED researchers

Owners and senior level managers everywhere are seeing an alarming increase in theft by their employees, no doubt brought on by harsh economic conditions. According to the Small Business Administration, as many as 30% of employees steal and another 60% will steal if given motive and chance. In response to member concerns, the NAED Education and Research Foundation launched a new research project to help its members combat this unfortunate trend. In this part of the seminar Abagnale will work in conjunction with a panel of NAED’s research and development team to provide industry-specific guidance to keep theft down and profits up.

Evening Open for Associate Member & Allied Partner Events including:

• Acuity Brands Lighting Cocktail Reception: 5:30 - 7:30 pm
• Rockwell Automation Reception: 5:30 - 7:30 pm
• 5-0-5 Club Reception aboard the Odyssey Cruise Ship: 6:00 - 8:30 pm Dockside / 8:30 - 10:30 pm Dessert Cruise on Lake Michigan

7:30 am – 5:00 pm
Registration

8:00 am – Noon
General Session

Keynote Presentation

The Train Left the Station in the Middle of the Night …

Moderator: Michael Marks, Managing Partner, Indian River Consulting
Panelists: Bob Reynolds, CEO of Graybar; Chris Hartmann, Exec. VP & CEO of IESC Rexel/Gexpro; Ron Schlader, VP Operations & Quality for Crescent Electric; and Phil Barrios, Senior Director, Corporate Marketing & E-Business, Hubbell

What do these terms have in common: gross margin, cost to serve, ship from stock and debit, preferred supplier, and schema? It is clear that 2010 is a year of industry transition where some members are still hunkered down waiting for the “recovery” and hope is their primary strategy. Others have been quietly and seriously making changes to create competitive advantage in the “new normal.” Much like LinkedIn and Facebook in your personal life, the regenerated IDEA has already become the quiet game-changer in how suppliers and distributors deal with each other. The panelists, including both supplier and distributor firms, will openly share what has already happened. Some may not like it, but it won’t go away now. Michael Marks will facilitate what will be a surprising look into one of the new sources of competitive advantage. Don’t miss this one!

Competitive Advantage: Is Yours a Hit or a Myth?

Jaynie Smith, president of Smart Advantage, Inc., and author of Creating Competitive Advantage, now in its eighth re-print and consistently ranked in the top 1% of all books sold on Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble.com.

Warren Buffet will only invest in companies with sustainable competitive advantages. So why is it when Smith asked over 3,500 CEOs to name their #1 competitive advantage, less than 10 were able to identify a compelling differentiator? Based on her best-selling business book, Creating Competitive Advantage, Smith will explain what a competitive advantage is (and isn’t), then give you a process framework for uncovering and touting your own competitive advantage. You’ll gain insights into why companies don’t know their competitive advantages, and the price they pay for not promoting them.

1:00 – 2:30 pm
Manufacturers Annual Forum

The Manufacturers Annual Forum provides the opportunity for a two-way dialog about new and ongoing projects sponsored by the Manufacturers Council, along with NAED programs and initiatives that directly impact the suppliers, reps, and distributors. This year’s forum will address several of the issues that manufacturers said were critically important in the 2009 Manufacturers Survey. The area in which manufacturers saw the most opportunity was new product launches. Attend this forum to learn best practices from new product launch success stories and take home ideas to implement in your business. Distributors are invited too! Watch this site for the latest developments in the agenda.

Direct face-to-face interaction at supplier-hosted booths, all in one place, saves you time and money. Meet with top level key executives from your trading partner companies. Share strategies and make your discussions more productive by using NAED’s Strategic Framework Guide to prompt you to ask each other the right questions and be prepared with answers. This is the place for meaningful dialogue, relationship-building, and information gathering. NAED recommends that distributors and suppliers set up appointments well in advance of the booth session.  
Separate registration required. Download Strategic Planning Booth Form here.

7:30 am – 3:30 pm
Registration

In this second booth session a networking lunch will be provided.

Tackling Today’s Travel: On the Road without the Load!

Doug Dyment, “The Go-Light Guru” of onebag.com

For more than two thousand years, travel experts have repeated the wisdom, “He who would travel happily must travel light.” It’s more easily said than done, though, and a quick look around at any airport will reveal just how few manage to make their travels efficient, effective, and effortless.

This session begins with an examination of the five main benefits of lightweight travel: security, economy, mobility, serenity, and ecology. Dyment will reveal the primary “secret” of the successful traveler and teach you:

• how to minimize the amount of stuff one needs to haul around
• how to choose functional and reliable luggage
• how to make a little clothing work like a lot, without getting wrinkled in the process

Don’t miss this chance to learn the art and science of traveling light, while you enjoy breakfast and visiting with other spouses in the industry. Separate registration and fee of $30 is required. Download Spouse Breakfast registration form. This session is open to all attendees, and space is limited.

6:00 – 10:00 pm

NAED Education & Research Foundation’s 40th Anniversary Legacy Awards Banquet

You won’t want to miss this special finale event of the Summit featuring exciting live entertainment! Join the industry to show support for the NAED Education & Research Foundation as it celebrates 40 years of service by giving Foundation Legacy Awards to the 10 most influential people in the Foundation’s history. Each award recipient played a pivotal role in helping to shape the NAED Foundation we know today. You’ll also take part in paying tribute to the winners of the NAED Awards, given annually to recognize individuals and companies that have made invaluable contributions to our association and the electrical industry.

Foundation Legacy Awards

• George M. Adams, Jr., President & CEO, Electric Supply Inc., Tampa, FL
• Edward F. Anixter (deceased), award accepted by son, Steve Anixter, President, Advance Electrical Supply Co., Inc., Chicago, IL
• Bill Elliott, President, Elliott Electric Supply, Nacogdoches, TX
• Arthur Griswold, Inside/Outside Sales, Northeast Electrical Distributors/Div. of Sonepar, Salem, NH
• Robert Lemman, Chairman of the Board, North Coast Electric Company, Seattle, WA
• Art Loeb (deceased), award accepted by son, Charles (Skip) Loeb, President, The Loeb Electric Company, Columbus, OH
• James B. Newton, Sr., Treasurer/Vice President of Sales (ret.), Oakes Electric (now Horizon Solutions)
• Walter W. Norton, Sr., CEO, Norton Electric Wholesale, Los Angeles, CA
• Thomas B. Schmid (deceased), award accepted by son, Dick Schmid, Vice President, Marketing, Crescent Electric Supply Company, East Dubuque, IL
• Chuck Steiner, Steiner Family Entities, Beltsville, MD

NAED Awards

• Arthur W. Hooper Award: J. Michael “Mike” Barker, President & COO, Springfield Electric Supply Company. This award is given each year to an individual who has had an exceptional career in distribution that covers the span of many years, and has had a positive impact on NAED and the industry.  The award is based on cumulative contributions.
• NAED’s Distributor Distinguished Service Award: Tammy Miller, CEO, Border States Electric. This award is given each year to recognize a distributor for outstanding and dedicated service to NAED and the electrical distribution industry.
• NAED Associate Service Award: Phil Barrios, Senior Director, Corporate Marketing and E-Business Hubbell Inc. This award is given each year to recognize an individual associated with an electrical manufacturing firm who has consistently been active in promoting and supporting the tenets and goals of NAED.
• NAED Industry Award of Merit: Eaton Corporation. This award is given each year to recognize an associate company that has been exceptionally active in promoting, supporting and/or improving the electrical distribution channel.
• NAED’s Honorary Life Award recognizes retiring distributors and manufacturers who have made exceptional contributions to the channel during their careers. The following individuals will be honored at the Banquet:
  • Charles “Chuck” Steiner, CEO of Branch Electric (now a division of Rexel) Retired
  • William Genne, Worldwide Distribution Manager of Cutler-Hammer Retired

Tickets may be purchased on the registration form.

Departures.  See you next year in San Diego at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront from April 30 - May 3, 2011.