The ISDA Network’s 51st Annual Meeting took place from May 15th – May 18th 2024 at the Opal Grand Oceanfront Resort in Delray Beach, FL. This year’s program featured two full days of programming – including three intensive rounds of our perennial favorite, speed networking – under the theme “Trailblazing in 2024.”
Exhibit setup is always a team sport and usually involves a bit of fun with our group! While Karen helped the Business Partners set up their booths, Jessica checked folks in at the registration desk. They enjoy getting to see ISDA Association folks after a year or more apart!
We kicked off the event with a welcome reception on the evening of Wednesday, May 15th. Thursday, May 16th, and Friday, May 17th were both full days with magnificent evening receptions.
ISDA Executive Board President Jeff Valentine opened the meeting and welcomed attendees first thing Thursday morning. He was followed by Executive Director Jim D’Emidio who emphasized three key words for this year’s meeting and their importance moving forward within the Association: Pivot, Symbiotic, & Value.
Keynote speaker and Chief Acceleration Officer Jim Ryerson got the group hyped and started the meeting off with a bang!
Mark Hart of Platinum Event Sponsor, ACDI Energy Services, was the first to present in the morning.
He was followed by a very enlightening presentation from Gold Sponsor PEAC Solutions‘ Corinne Beyer.
The Member Panel Thursday was very interesting, with the following three new Executive Board Members weighing in on experiences & issues within the Association and industries: Andy Meadows of Patterson Pope, Jake Reynolds of Reynolds Business Systems, and Randy Brant of Southwest Solutions Group.
After lunch, high-energy Kate Kingston of Kingston Training Group discussed A.I. and leveraging other forms of technology and platforms in business, principally when prospecting. It was an absolutely fascinating presentation and everybody in the room was listening with rapt attention when not taking copious notes!
Mike Greider of Gold Sponsor Furniture Command Center gave a very different and practical presentation showing the ins and outs of their system and how beneficial it could be for ISDA Members.
We finished presentations on Thursday with Dustin Walker from Gold Sponsor and newest ISDA Business Partner White Intelligent Systems. He showcased their vertical lifts and other products most relevant to our Membership.
The rousing first round of Speed Networking closed Thursday’s meeting program. Click here to view a YouTube short video where you can see speed networking in action.
The evening reception took place on the Lady Atlantic while we took an Intracoastal Cruise with an amazing buffet and sunset!
We started the day Friday with a stirring presentation from Clover Environmental‘s Tim Linsenmeyer on Warehouse Innovations.
Next, Gold Event Sponsor Global Industrial‘s Frank Pomponio discussed the company and the benefits of being a Global Reseller.
After that, Angie Vinez of Gold Sponsor Panel Built spoke, discussing their vast product offerings and projects with ISDA.
After the second round of speed networking, ISDA Marketing’s Karen Gunther discussed trends and ways to utilize technology in marketing.
The last presentation of the day was from Eddie Murphy of SpaceGuard Products, another strong Business Partner and Gold Event Sponsor. We closed the day with the third and final round of speed networking.
Friday’s reception was followed by our Awards Dinner – another sumptuous buffet and fun evening – where we got to recognize some of our Members and Business Partners for their achievements within the ISDA Network!
CONGRATULATIONS TO THIS YEAR’S AWARD WINNERS
Member Awards:
1) Largest Sales Growth – Established Member (more than 5 years): BUSINESS SYSTEMS & CONSULTANTS – Sales were up 68% from previous year!
2) Largest Sales Growth – Newer Member (5 years or less): WESTBOW, 100%!
3) Association Excellence (Did Business with Highest # of ISDA-Endorsed Business Partners): PATTERSON POPE!
4) Top Sales Volume Overall: MATERIAL HANDLING USA!
Business Partner Awards:
1) Association Excellence (Highest Membership Loyalty): SPACEGUARD – As was true last year, 90% of the members who had done business with them in the past have stayed with them!
2) Largest Sales Growth: EQUIPTO: 100%
3) Longest Term Business Partner: PANEL BUILT – ISDA Business Partner since 2008
4) Top Sales Volume Overall: AURORA STORAGE!
Saturday was a half day of Member Owner-only programming, featuring a presentation on “How to Grow Your ISDA Business” by Robert Goldberg.
During our Annual Shareholder Meeting we thanked two Board Members – Bobby Davis of Patterson Pope and Donna Tamburo-Wilson of Remco Equipment – for their many years of service to the Association on the Executive Board. Former Board President Bernie Freed of Mid-Atlantic Shelving Distributors was unable to attend this year but we missed him and greatly thank him for his dedication to the ISDA, as well.
The Shareholder Meeting was followed by a 1 PM game of golf at the Westchester Country Club.
Special thanks to this year’s event sponsors:
- Platinum Level: ACDI Energy Services – a big shout out to Mark Hart (who presented), Damian Cairns, and Zach Parker for their engagement with and support of the ISDA Network! Now let’s sell some EV chargers!!!
- Gold Level Sponsors:
- Furniture Command Center – We were so impressed by your out-of-the-box presentation, Mike Greider! Hoping that ISDA can work together with FCC moving forward.
- Global Industrial – Great having you attend this year, Frank Pomponio and Dan Medrano – you guys are a blast!
- Panel Built – Angie Vinez…need we say more?! It is always wonderful having you attend and even better when you present to the group.
- PEAC Solutions – Thank you and great job presenting, Corinne Beyer! We hope to see you (and your sweet mother) again next year.
- SpaceGuard Products – We were lucky to not only have Ray Niemeyer but also Eddie Murphy attend and speak this year – wow! Hoping at least one of you attend next year…
- White Intelligent Systems – Thank you for attending, Dustin Walker & Jessi Nelson – as our newest Endorsed Business Partner, it was paramount that you be in attendance to introduce yourselves and the products! We so look forward to getting you launched and selling White products.
- Silver Level Sponsors:
- Aurora Storage – Way to go on the win, Kyle Town & Scott Harvey!
- Dahle North America – Thank you so much for attending, Curt Zingaro & Rick Noss.
- DASCO Storage Systems – Always great to have you, Al French!
- Eagle Group MHC Division – Such a pleasure hosting you, Kevin King & Joshua Hughes! See you next year!!!
- EQUIPTO – Great job on the award, Keith Lehman!
- Lab Design by Fenco Solutions – Wonderful to have you in attendance, Jonathan – hoping to see Vicky again next year!
- SupplyPoint – What an intelligent & fun trio we had this year – hoping to host John Hook, Aaron Blakely, and the bubbly Maribel Novelli again in 2025!!! Now let’s sell some inventory vending machines!
- Wanzl – So glad that you could make it, Victor Dowless & Jana Hutchings – ISDA looks forward to doing more business in the future!
International Systems Dealers Association could not exist without the involvement of our Members and Business Partners. Thank you again to our 2024 Annual Meeting Attendees!
See you next year, location and dates TBA!