A convention that billed itself as "Celebrating 75 Years of Tradition" spent most of its substantive time trying to divine the future. Two speakers at the 75th convention of the Southern Wholesalers Association, held in Boca Raton, Fla., March 16-18, reviewed factors that could come into play to create an economy ranging from a train wreck to renewed prosperity.
"Things could be worse. We as a country have always emerged from problem periods stronger," said keynoter John Wills, group president of Masco and president of Delta Faucet Co. Wills substituted for Masco President and COO Ray Kennedy, who passed away several weeks prior to the convention. The opening breakfast and general session was dedicated to Kennedy. Wills repeatedly paid tribute to his colleague's dedication to "common sense and ethics."