ASA News
Inaugural ASA West Summit draws packed house, rave reviews
The first ASA West Summit in Napa, California drew a packed house for two days of education, best practices sharing and networking among wholesalers, suppliers and reps from 13 western states. Photo by Mike Miazga/ASA.
The inaugural ASA West Summit, bringing together wholesalers, suppliers, reps, master distributors, service providers and other invited guests from 13 western states, was a smash hit out of the gates.
The summit held in early May drew more than 220 attendees and enjoyed tremendous sponsorship support from industry vendors, wholesalers, reps and service providers for its two-day education, best practices sharing and networking forum held at the Meritage Resort and Spa in Napa, California.
On the education front, attendees heard seminars from longtime ASA friend, speaker and consultant Dirk Beveridge who gave a state of the distribution update and talked about the importance of empowering all individuals in the distribution and manufacturing sectors to reach their full potential and thrive, regardless of their role or level within an organization.
Dave Kline shared seven leadership mistakes he’s made, while Distribution Strategy Group’s Jonathan Bein gave an update to attendees on the state of the customer experience in distribution. Janine Driver’s seminar on how to ready body language was well received, as was a mid-year economic update from ASA Chief Economist Dr. Chris Kuehl.
In keeping with the promise to provide value for all parts of the supply chain at ASA regional summits, ASA West attendees participated in a best practices roundtable session where industry challenges and solutions were discussed related to a number of topics.
In addition to a sponsor tabletop opening reception held high atop the resort, attendees were taken to the Inglenook Winery in Rutherford, California for a final-night networking event, sponsored by ASA West Summit Diamond supporters A. O. Smith, AB&I Foundry/Anaco-Husky/Tyler Pipe, Charlotte Pipe, Distro and NIBCO.
The event concluded with the first-annual ASA West Summit Golf Open at Eagle Vines in American Canyon where the foursome of AJ Benton (Smardan Supply), Joe Mento (Mega Western Sales), Joe Theiss (Mainline Sales) and Michael Benisek (Mainline Sales) won the scramble event.
The 2026 ASA West Summit takes place May 12-14, 2026, at the Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines in La Jolla, California. The ASA West Summit golf tournament will take place at the nearby and famous Torrey Pines Golf Course.
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