If you didn't participate in the programs offered by ASA and our Regional Affiliates this year, you missed some of the best opportunities available anywhere for training and education in our industry - not to mention the valuable peer-to-peer networking that goes along with it.

In fact, there were a host of industry-specific regional seminars held throughout the year. Plus, there were no fewer than twelve separate events in the first ten months of 2002, including the national and regional conventions, the Young Executives Forum and the Institute for Distribution Management.

Make sure your calendar for 2003 includes the following dates so you don't miss out. For more information about any of these events, contact ASA or your Regional Association. A detailed calendar of events can be found at www.asa.net.

Young Executives Winter Forum
February (dates TBA)
Breckenridge, CO
Age is not a factor for this group, which meets each year to enjoy a great combination of educational sessions, organized networking, and time off for skiing. The Forum is open to all ASA wholesaler, manufacturer and rep members, regardless of age.

SWA's 75th Annual Convention
March 16-18, 2003
Boca Raton Hotel and Club, Boca Raton, FL
SWA invites one and all to "Celebrate 75 Years of Tradition" at its annual event. The program incorporates a mix of educational workshops with special time set aside for manufacturers of specific product groups to meet with their distributors. Ray Kennedy of Masco Corp. will provide the keynote address, followed by an industry forum featuring futurist Bob Treadway, who will talk about "20/20 Foresight - The Traditions of the Future." Michael Schatzki will headline the workshop session with a program titled, "Negotiation Strategies for the PHCP/PVF Sales Professional."

Inaugural PWDA Convention
May 1-4, 2003
Renaissance Esmeralda Resort, Indian Wells, CA
Co-hosts PSDA and WSA will team up to provide exceptional value and productivity for all buyers and sellers who attend. Rich Schmitt, St. Louis, MO, will serve as primary presenter and industry panel moderator. His topic will be "Becoming the Primary Supplier to a Group of Targeted Customers." As always, lots of social time will be incorporated into the schedule, as well as golf and tennis.

ASA Region 4 Convention (CWA & MAD)
June 26-27, 2003
Maumee Bay Resort, Toledo, OH
Co-hosts CWA and MAD will get together for the first time to feature a tabletop show featuring new products, new services, new ideas and new policies. The event will also include a reception and dinner. On day two, participants will meet over breakfast for a business meeting and installation of new officers, followed by a golf tournament.

WANE Annual Convention
May 8-11, 2003
Mystic Marriott Resort Hotel, Mystic, CT
The second annual event for the WANE group (comprised of members of the former NYSPHW, NEWA, MAWA and JCA groups) will take place in the charming town of Mystic, Conn., which is conveniently located for most members in the region. The business agenda of this event will be complemented by a planetarium reception and other excellent opportunities for industry networking.

ASA Annual Convention and ISH North America
September 29 - October 3, 2003
Mandalay Bay Resort, Las Vegas, NV

It's not too soon to put this event on your calendar! Judging from the positive response to this year's "Supply Chain Summit," this event will feature a similar channel approach, with new faces and new topics. And, ISH North America will move back to the U.S. to offer exciting opportunities and product news to trade professionals throughout the U.S. and from around the world.