The American Supply Association’s recent 2015 Young Executives Spring Forum in Charlotte, N.C., set another new attendance benchmark.

And those 135 attendees representing ASA-member distributors, manufacturers, reps and two buying groups once again banded together for a worthy cause as more than $8,300 was raised via an onsite raffle for the Operation Rise and Conquer program.

Operation Rise and Conquer sends disabled veterans or recovering active-duty service members on week-long outdoor adventure programs in the Colorado Rockies. The program is designed to empower and inspire while helping individuals regain confidence and trust in themselves and others. ASA and Gerber Plumbing Fixtures are leading the initiative along with key support from other ASA-member companies.

Additionally, Bradley Corp.Vice President of Sales Christopher Mullett announced during the Spring Forum that the Milwaukee-based company will donate 0.5% of all ASA-member-company sales during a three-month period to Operation Rise and Conquer.

“We want to do as much as we can to help support our soldiers who serve us,” Mullett said. “It’s a great cause.”

Earlier, the group heard from author and international speaker Steve McClatchy, whose two-day, two-part talk centered on making better decisions in order to get better results and helping people get more done in less time.

“Take everything you have to get better and faster so your business is indispensable to the marketplace,” he told the group.

McClatchy suggests tasks be broken down into time-sensitive categories with a “C” task being longer-term and an “A” task being of an urgent, must-have-it-now nature. He used the example of a person chasing the garbage man down the street with a bag of garbage after failing to put it out by pickup time. “We prioritize tasks based on deadline,” he said. “Trash is simply a metaphor. If trash is an ‘A’ for you, something is broken.”

He also had some sound advice for procrastinators. “When the quality of what you have to do is high, procrastination is a really bad idea,” he said.

McClatchy estimates a person could save between an hour to an hour-and-a-half a day creating a list of “have-to” items, which he defines as any task or activity that if neglected would be brought to one’s attention by someone else.

McClatchy’s tips extended to the topic of leadership and management as well. “Follow through on what you say you are going to do,” he said. “Doing that could get you promoted.”

After McClatchy finished up the second part of his speech, attendees toured one of Apollo Valves’ local facilities. The previous evening Apollo Valves Senior Executive Vice President of Business Development Cal Mosack praised the YE membership.

“The young executives are amazing,” he said. “We’re not looking at the future. We’re looking at now. It’s important to keep the energy going in this industry. When you look at this group you have to respect the youth, energy and passion.”

Spring Forum Notebook

·         White Wolf Group’s Zach Hudgins was honored during the event’s dinner for his longtime service on the YE Executive Council.

·         The Spring Forum has enjoyed a 26% increase in attendance in the last three years.

·         To view a video with ASA Young Executives Council Chairman Rogers Earl Jr. (Valley Supply) speaking about the growth of the group and the importance of attracting new talent in the industry, visit www.supplyht.com/videos.

 ·         Next year’s YE Spring Forum heads to Memphis, Tenn.