It has been way too long since we have all been together, and I, for one, have missed seeing friends. Our industry is built on strong business relationships and strong friendships. This is why I believe NETWORK2021 in Las Vegas from Nov. 9-11 is sure to be a fun, family reunion and a great time for you to connect and re-engage.

ASA’s NETWORK is the only event that connects all our industry’s constituents together in one place. From national distribution firms to independent family businesses, suppliers, manufacturers representatives and service providers of all kinds, NETWORK is the place to be if you want to reconnect your company to the industry and to strengthen your company’s network. 

But NETWORK is more than just strengthening relationships. It’s also about bringing together thought-leaders, industry veterans and educational sessions, and sharing ideas that can have an immediate impact on your company and your team’s ability to succeed. This opportunity will expand your view of what is happening in the industry and allow you to discover new and innovative ideas. You might even learn something new.

In addition to offering 12 strong educational sessions to help you build your bottom line, we have assembled three exciting highlight speakers to headline our major events. Kris Paronto —“Tanto” as he is affectionately known in security contracting circles — is a former Army Ranger from 2nd Battalion 75th Ranger Regiment and private security contractor who has deployed in numerous high-threat environments throughout the world. Most notably, Kris was part of the CIA annex security team that responded to the terrorist attack on the U.S. Special Mission in Benghazi, Libya on Sept. 11, 2012, helping to save more than 20 lives while fighting off terrorists for more than 13 hours. Paronto’s story is told in the book and move “13 Hours.” Paronto will speak at the Industrial Piping Division breakfast on Nov. 10.

Daymond John, of the hit television show “Shark Tank,” has been a phenomenally successful business person for more than 25 years. Along his entrepreneurial journey, through his many successes as well as failures, he has learned a few things about getting the best out of business and life. He believes the keys to his success include establishing the right mindset and following a few fundamental principles, which he calls his five "S.H.A.R.K points.”

Get ready! Daymond John is going to share his unique goal-setting and achievement strategies, which will empower audience members to make positive changes in every aspect of their lives. John will speak at the Kohler Plumbing Division breakfast on Nov. 10.

2021 looks much like 1921, but with more potential economic powder ready to be unleashed. Not without concern regarding a divided nation, mounting debt and China's grand ambitions, but by November, we should be looking at COVID-19 in the rearview mirror. We'll be seeing record savings, record low debt to disposable income, a rebound in consumer confidence and a rebound in household formation. Charles Payne, host of “Making Money with Charles Payne,” will provide his in-depth thoughts on what we can expect coming out of 2021 into a new era of America's financial landscape.

After not being together for a long time, I couldn’t be more excited to come to Las Vegas and dive deep into these unparalleled education and keynote sessions, visiting with attendees from our industry’s major distributors and manufacturers, and unwinding at a great resort property just outside of the Vegas Strip. 

The time couldn’t be any better to attend and re-connect. 

Hope to see you in Vegas in November!