During the past eight years,the American Supply Association, through the efforts of staff and leadership, created a vision of where the association was headed and how we would lead ourselves in that direction of growth. 

Visionary leadership

Through our long-range strategic governance process, which was developed in 2008 and has been revised annually by our volunteer leadership during strategic planning sessions held in conjunction with the annual Winter Leadership Conference, we have achieved some very lofty goals. Full-time representation in Washington, D.C., comprehensive training programs delivered right to our members’ employees, economic forecasting, career development programs, creation of a Women in Industry division, emerging partnerships with our industry customers and engagement of the industry all have been a result of our association’s visionary leadership.

Looking Ahead

For 2016, the ASA Board of Directors has asked staff to expand the association’s workforce development efforts. A very strong effort in this particular area began in 2015, and we’ll continue to build on the momentum that we have started. The association has invested a significant amount in marketing career opportunities that our industry has to offer high school and college students. This includes: facilitation of career fairs at major military bases reaching transitioning military personnel; support for craft training with our allied partners; and exhibiting at customer trade shows such as KBIS and NAHB’s International Builders Show to market our members to industry customers.

Upcoming enhancements

In addition, we’ve added manufacturer training to ASA University, making it a one-stop shop, and we are also updating our very valuable Compensation and Benefits Study in 2016. These are just a few enhancements that we plan on showcasing in the coming year.

We have strengthened our industry-leading peer networking programs and increased investment in the educational value of the annual NETWORK event, to be held in New York at the Waldorf Astoria Sept. 28-30, as we continue to establish the can’t-miss event as “the place where the industry meets.” With another successful year behind us and an exciting year ahead with new initiatives, ASA looks forward to “advancing your ability” in 2016.

Scheduled to present at Network2016 are Dana Perino, former White House press secretary for President George W. Bush and co-host of “The Five” on Fox News, Neil Cavuto, senior vice president, managing editor and anchor for both FOX News Channel and FOX Business Network and General Michael Hayden, former director of the Central Intelligence Agency and the country’s first principal deputy director of national intelligence.