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8 FEDA News & Views Association Highlights The Torch is Passed and the Mission Goes On Ray Herrick Executive Vice President ray@feda.com Need more information on how FEDA can help you? Contact me by phone at 800-677-9605 or by email. The torch was passed at this year's FEDA Convention as outgoing FEDA President Brad Wasserstrom handed the gavel to newly elected President Brad Pierce. Brad Wasserstrom has been an outstanding leader and we know that Brad Pierce will continue to carry on FEDA's mission with the same zeal, stressing the importance of a strong dealer advocacy voice, coupled with information and education, to pro- mote a profitable dealer channel. By all accounts, the FEDA 2014 Convention in Indian Wells, Calif., was a terrific hit with attendees. Great speakers and education programs, a large and upbeat attendance, a beautiful resort and warm sunshine—all made for a memorable experience. (It's been a while since many of us felt the warmth of the sun.) Many thanks to Convention Chair Jack Lewis and Assistant Chair Paul Parr for all of their hard work to make it happen. Now, the convention torch passes to Chairman Carl Gustafson and Assistant Chair Jay Ringelheim, who will do a terrific job on the 2015 Convention, March 25 – 29 at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa in Phoenix. Speaking of passing the torch, every- one at the FEDA Member Breakfast was very impressed with the panel discussion ( FEDA: The Next Generation) featuring Mason Greene, Hotel & Restaurant Supply; Dave Groff, WEBstraurant. com; Jameel Burkett, Burkett Restaurant Supply; and Jonathan Gustafson, Ace Mart Restaurant Supply. With great young execs like these, the dealer community and our industry are in great shape for the future! FEDA's Box Lunch Sales Training at NAFEM 2015 Show During the NAFEM 2015 Show (February 19-21 at the Anaheim Convention Center in California), FEDA will host its sales training box lunch seminar Friday, February 20, 2015, at the Anaheim Convention Center from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 pm. Popular sales trainer Don Buttrey will present his program "The SELL Process—Your Offence." This program is sponsored by our good friends at HATCO Corp. You have to eat anyway, so why not have your sales team pick up some pro- fessional sales training at the same time. Registration materials will be sent to all FEDA members in late October or early November. Plan ahead and mark your calendar! While You're at It… Remember to pass the torch along to your own sales team by helping them grow professionally with FEDA's web- site online education. In the "Members Only" section of feda.com, your team will find 32 product education tutorials that will help industry newcomers get up to speed on many important equip- ment categories or provide a refresher for the more experienced. This program includes a mini exam and offers a certifi- cate of completion. You can download one of many MP3 recordings on business topics, such as sales training, reputation management, customer service, accounts receivables, negotiating and management. Also included are four in-depth programs on profitability, negotiating skills, and cus- tomer service by Mike Workman, plus Dr. Bates' profit-enhancing program "Getting Out of Last Place." Did you forget your member code to enter the Members' Only section of the FEDA website? Email Rosie at the FEDA office (rosita@feda.com). For a mem- ber's tour of the FEDA website, email Amy at amy@feda.com.