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."