Education Sessions: Thursday, October 29
Distributor/Fabricators Session
AI Approaches for Distribution Leaders
This discussion will unpack how AI is reshaping the distribution industry, and lay out a clear, practical framework to help leaders get started with adoption. Walk away with real-world strategies to turn AI potential into measurable impact within your organizations. During this session, Anne Balduzzi we will also discuss other AI trends that will redefine distribution over in the next decade.
Speaker:
Anne Balduzzi, Owner, Accelerate Partners
Merit Contractors Committee
Regional Roundup
Join the Merit Contractors Committee members for a wide-ranging regional discussion led by Committee Chair Michael McCowan of L.C. Insulations, Inc., focusing on market conditions and updates from across the United States.
Speaker:
Mike McCowan, Merit Contractors Committee Chair, L.C. Insulations, Inc.
Union Contractors Subcomittee
Designing and Executing an Effective Collective Bargaining Strategy
Successful collective bargaining is driven by far more than economics and contract language. John Nesse will explore practical approaches to bargaining preparation, proposal development, committee discipline, communication at the table, and managing difficult negotiations under pressure. Drawing from real-world collective bargaining experience across multiple industries and markets, he will provide a structured framework for improving bargaining effectiveness, including preparation, alignment, and execution while avoiding common pitfalls that can undermine the bargaining process.
Speaker:
John Nesse, Managing Partner, Management Guidance LLP
Young Professional Advisory Committee (YPAC)
Peer to Peer: A Leadership Conversation
Led by YPAC Member Marissa Davis of Ideal Products, along with her mentor NIA Past President Laura Dover of Chaparral Insulation Co., Inc., this interactive roundtable puts the conversation in your hands by exploring what leadership really looks like from where you sit. Topics include self-reflection, emotional intelligence, and personal growth, all unpacked through peer-to-peer discussion. Bring your experiences, and if you’d like a head start, take a free Enneagram personality test beforehand (optional). Leave with a clearer sense of your own leadership path and individual strengths.