ACD Press Release

Members of the National Association of Chemical Distributors (NACD) are heading to San Antonio this week for the association’s 46th Annual Meeting. Chemical distribution industry leaders and their suppliers, customers and colleagues are joining together to discuss opportunities for companies to improve business performance, management skills, recruitment and more, while getting in-depth insights into the latest trends and future of the industry. Nearly 575 attendees will listen as expert speakers and panelists discuss a myriad of issues facing chemical distribution, including improving human capital processes to facing political and regulatory realities. 

Meeting participants will examine the “Plus One Advantage,” discovering how small changes can provide significant returns to businesses and create value for customers. NACD members will hear innovative ideas about how to differentiate their business, identify and lead crucial conversations, grow revenue and prepare for changing economic times. 

The event kicks off with a keynote address from Shark Tank investor and Founder/CEO of FUBU, Daymond John, who will discuss the fundamentals for business success. On Thursday, the meeting closes out with a luncheon focusing on the realities of American politics today, featuring former White House Press Secretary and Co-Host of Fox’s “The Five,” Dana Perino.

Key sessions at the Annual Meeting include: 

Time to Get Our Human Capital Processes Fixed and Stop Blaming the Millennials
F. Barry Lawrence, Ph.D., Texas A&M University
Human capital processes are broken. Recruiting top talent is expensive and time consuming. It is, however, necessary to succeed in our culture of fast-changing technology and generational transition. This session will address the key elements of the human capital process and what needs to be done to fix it. If you want your organization to succeed, you need to recruit and retain your top talent and leadership. A key component to doing this is investing in them with specific internal and external training opportunities.

How Are You Different? Don’t Be a Commodity!
Brian Neff, Smart Advantage, Inc.
Distributors often do a poor job of highlighting differentiators that chemical buyers value. As a result, buyers may treat your company like a commodity — much like the products you sell. This session will highlight ways in which your company can uncover and better communicate that which makes you different. In the process, you’ll learn to convey value that takes you away from commoditization. The result can allow your company to command higher margins and fend off negotiations to drive your prices lower.

A Good Year Ahead
Alan Beaulieu, CEO, ITR Economics
Uncertainty and volatility are the prevailing challenges that business leaders confront today. The critical questions facing the business community are, “What will be the overall health and vibrancy of the U.S. and global economies going forward?” and “How can I be profitable and make critical strategic decisions in the face of such economic volatility?” Sifting through the often-conflicting maze of economic information, ITR Economics senior analyst Alan Beaulieu will provide a timely snapshot of the economy today, where it is headed over the next three years, and what it means to your business. The session will provide ITR’s views of what to expect this year and beyond, covering such topics as industry and consumer trends, business-to-business activity, interest rates, oil prices, inflation, exchange rates, emerging economies, and more.