I am excited to be headed to my third consecutive Security Hardware Distributors Association (SHDA) Advancement Summit in Charlotte, N.C., April 27-30, at the Embassy Suites Charlotte-Concord. SHDA’s Summit, which has served the security hardware sector for decades, is one of my favorite conferences as it features invaluable one-on-one appointments where distributors can network and build business relationships with SHDA manufacturer partners in one convenient location.
As SHDA President Charlie Weaver points out in our interview in the April issue, the summit brings so many industry folks together in an intimate setting where a ton of excellent networking and business can go on between longtime SHDA members as well as with partners and new members.
“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 that continue and grow, which it has. And for the future for the association, it is just bringing more value every year to members.”
Yes, there is real value in having so many industry professionals together for three days, and in many cases, attendees that include industry thought leaders and legends who have seen the changes and evolution of the products and technology and are willing to share and pass on their knowledge and wisdom.
See you there!
-Paul Ragusa
