SHDA Advancement Summit Heads to Charlotte

“We've been talking the last couple of years about trying different locations,” he says. “Years ago, we were in a three-city rotation, and we started slipping in some new locations, which everybody took so well to, and they really seem to enjoy the cities we chose.”

Weaver is also excited for the opening reception event, which will be held at Charlotte Motor Speedway, where attendees can visit the NASCAR Cup Series garage area and take a ride through two infield Racetracks, Pit Road, and Winner’s Circle for a photo opportunity.

The opening reception event at the speedway will be a great way to kick off the summit, as the association really wanted to “go big on the first night and do it really first class,” says Weaver. “And then on the other nights we have a cocktail hour reception for when everyone is done with their meetings, which gives them a chance to plan some dinners, whether that is with colleagues, team members, partner companies … they have some free time in addition to the planned events, which is something new we are trying this year.”

Another big highlight is the networking that goes on between attendees and those who work on the SHDA board and committees.

“It's always great to see the people who participate,” says Weaver. “We have a lot of good people in the association right now, especially on the board and on committees – a lot of the younger guys, like Mike Pagano (Stone and Berg) and Steve Pyatte (SELECT). We have a great group, so I always enjoy getting everybody together. And I always enjoy the golf outing on Monday. I think it gives everybody a chance to kind of just unwind, catch up and converse and not worry about getting to a meeting or what they have to do that day.”

The annual golf outing has grown over the years to become a mainstay of the summit. “We started with like 12 golfers years ago and last year we were at about 44 and had to turn people away,” Weaver points out. “This year we expect more than 50 to participate.”

SHDA Membership is Strong

As SHDA president, Weaver says he encourages others to get involved in committees and on the board. “It's just about paying it forward for the next guys that come through, making their job a little bit easier or at least leaving them in a good spot or with some ideas for the future – letting them know what does work, what doesn't work.”

Looking at the state of the association, Weaver says, “We're very strong – it’s amazing with all the consolidation we still hold our attendance and same number of attendees, and we grow a little bit each year.”

One of the strong points of the association is the willingness of members to share information on what works for their business.

“Even though we're in the same business as competitors, we all want the best for each other,” says Weaver. “So, if something I'm doing is working in my territory for me, or I see a change in the last couple years, I share that with the other owners and they do as well. I think it's a win-win for everybody involved, and as an association we continue to find ways to help members, to make their lives easier, make their jobs easier, and to make their businesses more efficient. That's very valuable in my eyes, so I'd like to see some of that continue and grow, which it has. And for the future for the association, it is just bringing more value every year to members.”

Overcoming Challenges

As Weaver points out, even in the face of continued consolidation, tariffs, supply chain issues, the industry continues to show resilience.

“I think the industry is changing, it's evolving the way it has been for the last six to seven years,” he says. “We've almost gotten used to tariffs. I hate to say that, but we've been dealing with it since 2021, 2022, since COVID, and it does make our jobs a little bit harder. But there are some new products out there now, so you need to stay on top of it. There are a lot of smart engineers at the factories, and a lot of new products out there to get involved with, so the industry is not as repetitive as it used to be.”

He continues, “And I think the industry is strong. It's holding on with all the changes. For us to be able to be where we are in distribution, and still be able to have true two-step distribution, that doesn't happen in a lot of industries anymore. We are in a good spot, and I think the training that goes on has a lot to do with that, and people nowadays in our industry are willing to learn. When I think back to my younger self, I'll admit it. Because I grew up in the industry, I felt like I knew everything; I felt like because I had been doing this forever, I thought there was nothing you can teach me. But I think nowadays there is a lot I can learn if you're willing to put the time in and learn education, training and trade shows. A lock and a key are not a lock and a key anymore, and as an industry, we've done a great job moving forward and offering new products and solutions.”

Continuing to Pay it Forward

As SHDA gets ready for its annual summit, the entire organization is focused on “paying it forward and making sure that we're financially responsible with our trade shows and that we're set up for the future, which we are with the people we have in place,” says Weaver. “We have some great people on the board, we have a great incoming president, so we are set up for the next eight years. I have a lot of confidence in the people behind me, and I think everybody understands how important it is to be responsible and make sure that you worry about the person behind you and the person behind them. That's the most important thing for me, just leaving it in a good spot for the next person.”

The generosity of the members who give their time to help shape the industry and keep the association moving forward is what inspires Weaver the most as president of SHDA.

“The people who get involved, it is on our own time, our own dime, but there are people that care enough about the industry who want to get involved,” he says. “And I think the newsletter gets better each year that SHDA puts it out. I think there's better information in there that's useful. All those things come together just by getting the right people on the committees, and then from there, the right people form the board.”

Weaver is quick to thank those around him, who are part of the fabric of what makes SHDA so successful.

“Every time [SHDA Executive Director] Amy Luckado calls me with something, and I don't have an answer right away or I need to think about it, I will call Lance Johnsen or Rob Justin and ask what they think,” he explains. “The last two SHDA presidents, they really will walk me through their opinions, and it's nice to have somebody else's view that's been there and I'll do the same going forward. The young guys that are behind me are so capable, and they have such a supportive team around them that I'm very confident in SHDA going forward. We're in a very good spot.”

For more information on the SHDA, visit www.shda.org.

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Ben Silver Seminar to Focus on AI’s Potential

SHDA is excited to have University of Innovative Distribution notable speakerSam Richter presenting the Ben Silver Seminar this year. Richter, a distinguished Hall of Fame speaker renowned for his expertise in digital information, specializes in leveraging AI and ChatGPT intel resources and has crafted innovative programs and technology for both start-up companies and some of the world's most recognized brands.

In his session, “Mindset Shift: Generative AI and Your Future,” Richter is going to show SHDA members how to use technology to “transform your business, communications, job, and life,” he says. “Generative AI is reshaping our world at a pace never before seen in history. For the first time, everyone has unprecedented access to harness and shape data, redefining how we live, work, compete, and connect.”

In his presentation, Richter will explain the difference between AI and Generative AI, and in a clear, non-technical way, how they work, and how embracing platforms like ChatGPT, CoPilot, Gemini, etc. can give you a competitive edge.​ The presentation will focus on how generative AI “creates a Mindset SHIFT, by streamlining work, harnessing your expertise, and freeing you to focus on strategic thinking, innovation, and authentic human connections,” says Richter. “Practical AI tools you can start using immediately, demonstrated through real examples across all areas of business, to unlock new levels of performance and deliver measurable outcomes.”

In addition, he will take a forward-looking view into our generative AI future, the ethical considerations, personal moral dilemmas, and leadership decisions that will shape tomorrow’s business landscape. Featuring examples customized to the audience, and strategies and techniques drawn from his years of experience developing AI tools and resources used by organizations around the globe.