This website requires certain cookies to work and uses other cookies to help you have the best experience. By visiting this website, certain cookies have already been set, which you may delete and block. By closing this message or continuing to use our site, you agree to the use of cookies. Visit our updated privacy and cookie policy to learn more.
This Website Uses Cookies
By closing this message or continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Learn More
This website requires certain cookies to work and uses other cookies to help you have the best experience. By visiting this website, certain cookies have already been set, which you may delete and block. By closing this message or continuing to use our site, you agree to the use of cookies. Visit our updated privacy and cookie policy to learn more.
Supply House Times logo Supply House Times
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Supply House Times logo Supply House Times
  • Home
  • Magazine
    • Issues
    • Digital Editions
    • Archives
    • Ad Index
    • B.I.G Book
    • Rep Locator
  • Market Sectors
    • Plumbing
    • Bath & Kitchen
    • Industrial PVF
    • Radiant/Hydronics
    • HVAC
    • Fire Protection
    • Solar Thermal/Geothermal
    • Technology
    • Codes
    • Company News
    • ASA News
    • Women in Industry
  • Columnists
    • Mike Miazga: From the Editor
    • Dan Holohan: Heating Help
    • Hank Darlington: Showrooms
    • Jim Wheeler: HVAC
    • Bruce Merrifield: Distribution
    • Dirk Beveridge: Innovation Strategies
    • Michael Mercer: The Dr.’s Office
    • Letter from ASA President
    • Safety Columnists
  • Multimedia
    • Photo Gallery
    • Videos
    • Webinars
    • Podcasts
    • YouTube Channel
    • eBook
  • Special Editions
    • Premier 150
    • PVF Outlook
    • PB Outlook
    • Radiant Comfort Guide
    • Radiant & Hydronics Report
    • Green Plumbing & Heating
  • Products
  • More
    • Industry Calendar
    • Classified Ads
    • Industry Links
    • Custom Content & Marketing Services
    • Market Research
    • eNewsletters
    • Showrooms
    • Supply House Times Store
  • Bath & Kitchen Pro
  • Contact
  • Advertise
Home » Adapting to change

Adapting to change

June 6, 2001
Pat Lenius
Reprints
No Comments
Attendees at the 73rd annual SWA convention had to deal with some surprises in addition to the training workshops and networking.

Adapting to change is a key element in effective leadership, said Stewart Hall in his president's address during the general session at the Southern Wholesalers Association convention. No one realized the ironic significance of those words until later. One of the most memorable moments of the 2001 SWA convention was when Hall concluded his president's remarks by saying that not only was his term as SWA president ending, but he was also resigning as president/chief operating officer of Hughes Supply (Orlando, Fla.).

"Stewart Hall's announcement really came out of left field," said new SWA president Lee Steinhouse, who also is president of Nashville, Tenn.-based Steinhouse Supply. "It's a huge loss to the industry."

Because Hall is joining his son in a business outside of the PHCP industry, he will not retain a position within SWA as tradition dictates. Instead, Joe White, president of Castle Supply (Pinellas Park, Fla.), who served as SWA president in 1999, will remain as chairman of the board for a second consecutive year.

Another surprise at the meeting was the mention of trade show consolidation as it relates to SWA. In comments about his agenda while SWA president, Hall said that he had wanted to explore the possibility of bringing the SWA convention together with some other region.

"We have had some discussions about possibly combining our annual convention with another regional association or an industry association," Steinhouse later told Supply House Times, "but that would not happen for at least several years. SWA will celebrate its 75th anniversary in 2003. A joint show would not be likely until 2005 or later and it would depend on how the numbers work out."

There is certainly interest in consolidating industry conventions, said Frank Rizzo, executive vice president of SWA and president of Association Resources Inc.

"If another regional association or industry group wanted to co-locate, cosponsor or in some way join forces with SWA for a convention and we could figure out a way to make it work, we would be for it," Rizzo said.

SWA is continually exploring ways to make its convention a better experience and attract more people, he added.

Two leadership-oriented workshops were offered during this year's convention. Kent Vaughn of consulting firm Franklin Covey offered tips on time management and prioritizing, guiding participants to evaluate the balance between their personal and professional lives. Allan Hurst, president of Quorum Ltd., also a consultant, was the keynote speaker. He distributed a self-audit checklist for executives to use to examine their companies' business practices.

The membership of SWA includes about 98 corporate wholesaler entities and 75 associate members, including manufacturers and reps. While wholesaler participation at this year's annual convention was about the same as in past years, attendance by manufacturers and reps was slightly less than had been expected, Steinhouse said. He noted that the manufacturers reps may have had a conflict with another meeting.

SWA's 2002 convention is scheduled for March 14-16 at the Wyndham Palace Resort in Orlando, Fla.

"We want to improve participation," Steinhouse said. "My theme as SWA president is getting everyone involved."

sht-subscribe

Recent Articles by Pat Lenius

Green products abundant at Design & Construction Week 2015

As Seen At KBIS 2011

Special Events - July 2011

Special Events - June 2011

WIT & Co. Conference: Moving Forward

Pat Lenius is a veteran business-to-business writer/editor. Her editorial experience includes 10 years as managing editor of Supply House Times. She is now a freelance writer/editor based in the Chicagoland area. She can be reached at patlenius@yahoo.com

Related Articles

Positive Changes

2007 Premier 150: A Year Of CHANGE

Business Looks Up To WDA-ers

How-to tips for showrooms

You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Subscribe For Free!
  • Print & Digital Edition Subscriptions
  • eNewsletters
  • Online Registration
  • Subscription Customer Service

More Videos

Popular Stories

First Supply acquires lighting store

Ferguson Ventures invests in Whisker Labs and Ting technology

dodge outlook 2020 report

Construction starts to slip back in 2020

First Supply acquires lighting store

NIBCO completes acquisition of Milwaukee Valve

Wilo acquires US pump manufacturer American-Marsh Pumps photo 1

Wilo acquires US pump manufacturer American-Marsh Pumps

First Supply acquires lighting store

ASA member sales up 6.4% from last year

SHTPremier150-360


sht-young-execs-360

Events

June 5, 2019

Do You Know Everything You Need to Know About North American Drinking Water Laws?

On Demand Protecting drinking water is of paramount importance.  The last decade has seen the enactment of safe drinking water laws that safeguard our water for consumption.  These laws can lead to confusion in determining which applications are regulated and which materials are safe to be installed in these applications. 

January 22, 2020

Reduce System Downtime with Differential Pressure Measurement

Pressure gauges reduce operator headaches by providing information necessary to keep a process operational.  Installing gauges on either side of an orifice allows operators to identify unexpected increases or decreases in pressure and schedule maintenance with minimal system disruption.  Now, one differential gauge can replace the need to install pressure gauges on either side of an orifice, simplifying pressure measurement.

View All Submit An Event

Products

Valve Handbook, 3rd Edition

Valve Handbook, 3rd Edition

Revised to include details on the latest technologies, Valve Handbook, Third Edition, discusses design, performance, selection, operation, and application. This updated resource features a new chapter on the green technology currently employed by the valve industry, as well as an overview of the major environmental global standards that process plants are expected to meet.

See More Products

SHT-Meet20Women-360

Supply House Times

SHT 1119 cover

2019 November

Check out November issue of Supply House Times features a chat with incoming ASA President Bill Glockner of Hirsch Pipe & Supply, plus a complete recap of ASA’s NETWORK2019 50th anniversary celebration. We also have the latest tool trends and a look at how Milwaukee Tool best utilizes its network of independent manufacturers reps.

View More Create Account
  • Additional Links
    • Ad Index
    • List Rental
    • Order Reprints
    • Web Exclusives
    • Supply House Times Store
    • Bath & Kitchen Pro
    • Contact Us
    • eNewsletters
    • Privacy Policy
  • Want More?
    • Connect
    • Industry Links
    • Survey And Sample
  • Plumbing Group
    • Plumbing & Mechanical
    • PM Engineer

Copyright ©2019. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing