2016 AD North American Meeting Highlights Programs to Help Members Ascend to the Next Level
Press Release for Immediate Release
November 1, 2016
Wayne, PA - On October 19th - 21st 2016, AD the largest contractor and industrial products wholesale buying group in North America, hosted the AD Electrical North American Meeting, with over 1,000 attendees. This event attracted 144 first time attendees and representatives from over 331 companies in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The theme of this year’s meeting was one motivational word, Ascend. Ascend stands for the journey AD shares with its members and suppliers, as individuals and companies to be the very best we can - not only at work, but at home and within our local communities. By sharing the inner drive for greatness and leveraging new AD programs, AD continues to help its members and suppliers grow their businesses.
Ed Crawford, President of AD Electrical US and Latin America shared a personal story during the Business Meetings, “It’s not about the headwinds and challenges that we face, but what we do when we face them. In life, as in business, headwinds are not a possibility, they’re a certainty. Commodity prices may continue to decline, oil and natural gas remain a challenge, and industrial investment is weak at best. But through it all, AD members find a way. AD is here to help you navigate; to continue to help you grow, to prosper, and to gain market share.”
AD provides a variety of programs to help members grow and stay ahead of the curve: eCommerce Solutions; HR Services; Indirect Procurement; AD Rewards; energyFORCE; and Market Planning to name a few.
“AD Canada continues to grow and gain market share in Canada”, shared Jim Milne, President, AD Canada. “It is exciting to see our distributor and supplier partners embrace and execute AD initiatives to prepare for the future and maximize their performance today.”
During the meeting’s keynote address delivered by Bill Weisberg, AD’s Chairman and CEO, Bill discussed how AD is investing more than ever before to ensure a strong future for our community of members, suppliers and AD associates. Weisberg also encouraged attendees to identify their purpose in life: “There's one thing in particular that I believe passionately in as the secret to sustainable success - the secret to be able to really overcome the most difficult obstacles. That is to have a burning purpose, a reason to get to the top. You have to not just be driven. You have to be driven for a real purpose, and that purpose has to be greater than you, greater than even the specific goal that you're setting out to accomplish. If you've got a purpose that other people can rally around alongside of you, then you've got a formula for great success.”
AD honored their members and supplier partners during the Spirit of Independence Awards Banquet and congratulated Steiner Electric for celebrating 100 years in business.
The following companies/individuals received coveted AD Spirit of Independence Awards (acceptance videos included):
US Member of the Year, Performance – Over $10M: City Electric Company, Inc.
Canadian Member of the Year, Performance – Over $10M: J.W. Bird & Company Limited
US Member of the Year, Performance – Under $10M: I.D. Booth, Inc.
Canadian Member of the Year, Performance – Under $10M: Source Atlantic
Member of the Year, Leadership: Greg Chun, VP, Marketing, McNaughton-McKay
US Supplier of the Year, Performance – Over $10M: Wattstopper/Legrand
Canadian Supplier of the Year, Performance – Over $5M – Liteline Corporation
US Supplier of the Year, Performance – Under $10M: American Polywater
Canadian Supplier of the Year, Performance – Under $5M – First Alert Canada
Supplier of the Year, Leadership: Pat Murphy, Juno Lighting
AD MVP: Lauren Shovein, Marketing Specialist, Van Meter, Inc.
Supplier of the Year, Marketing Excellence: Philips Canada
Best Conversion to an AD Supplier: Stanion Wholesale Electric and Thomas & Betts
Best Annual Planning Process: Kirby Risk Electrical Supply
Giving Back Award: Border States
Premier Marketing Partners: AD’s 2016 Premier Marketing Partners were also acknowledged throughout the event: Atkore International; Burndy; Encore Wire; General Cable; Hubbell Lighting; Legrand; Leviton; Omni Cable; Philips; Siemens; Southwire; and Thomas & Betts. AD also recognized AD Canada Sponsor, Eaton.
Event photos can be found here.
Contact: Peggy Penjuke, Marketing Manager P: 610.977.3158 E: ppenjuke@adhq.com
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About AD - AD is the largest contractor and industrial products wholesale buying group in North America. AD provides independent distributors and manufacturers of construction and industrial products with support and resources that accelerate growth. Our 550+ plus independently owned members span seven industries and three countries with annual sales in excess of $32 Billion. AD served industries include electrical, industrial, plumbing, PVF, HVAC, building materials, and bearings & power transmission. For more information visit: www.adhq.com.