Dave Poteete

Looking back at this past year, I want to leave you with a few notes about some of the ASA events I thought were extra special for me and also some other things that make ASA so special as our industry’s only national trade association.

Nearly three in four ASA members say their companies are already experimenting with AI, while 38 percent report they are exploring use cases, while 34 percent are piloting one or more AI tools.

These updated courses offer a modern, mobile-friendly interface, engaging live-action videos that clarify complex concepts, scenario-based assessments for real-world application, impactful 3D imagery for technical training, concise summaries for practical reference, and hands-on activities to reinforce learning.

Social media posts for jobseekers reached 2.7 million views, up 194%. Clicks to SupplyIndustryCareers.com increased to 38,000 (up 155%). Additionally, 77 ASA-member companies have activated the “Now Hiring” flag on the site.

Industry Insights Senior Vice President Greg Manns notes data from the 2025 report shows 2024 was a challenging year compared to a few recent ones. However, Manns cautions that he is not painting a picture of gloom and doom because ASA wholesaler respondents still reported a fairly solid year when looking from a historical perspective over the last 5-10 years.

NETWORK2025 in Fort Lauderdale is a must-attend event for you and your team. Explore our unmatched program and join us in South Florida - you won’t be disappointed.

The ASA Women in Industry Division offers a unique platform for driven women to connect, network, and access educational resources, fostering both personal and professional growth. Its mission goes beyond typical industry events by actively working to attract women to the PHCP-PVF industry.

This year’s EMERGE (May 13-15) in Las Vegas will be a doozy and will put the division in a position to where it has nearly doubled in size since the 2023 event in Savannah, Georgia. Last year’s EMERGE conference in Boston set a new all-time attendance mark and the Vegas version in May will threaten it.

I held my first meeting as ASA president and was impressed by the volunteers who gathered for our winter strategic retreat in Southern California. LEAD, an invitation-only event for ASA volunteers and past presidents, drew nearly 100 attendees.

In the cold, gloomy Midwest, I aim for two daily goals: 30 minutes of light exercise and learning something new, often from the American Supply Association website, which I highly recommend.