Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/339857
8 FEDA News & Views Association Highlights Speaking the Same Language and Other New Administration Goals 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. T his past March, Brad Pierce took the reins of the FEDA presidency and he is off to an excellent start. In addition to continuing to make dealer- based distribution advocacy a priority, one of his key goals during his term will be to address the challenge of stan- dardizing dealer/manufacturer data com- munication nomenclature. Under Brad's leadership, FEDA will bring together leading dealers and channel partners, as well as enlist the help of other industry associations and AutoQuotes, to create a clear list of terms and language that can be adopted industrywide. It will be simple to use, which will help to lower operating costs and, thereby, help to raise margins. To get the ball rolling, we introduced the initiative to NAFEM, CFESA and MAFSI at the FEDA Convention and again at a meeting during the NRA Show, including FCSI. As things develop, we will keep you informed. Attracting New, Young Talent for Our Industry There has been a growing discussion among FEDA, MAFSI, CFESA, FCSI and NAFEM regarding the need to work together to attract young talent into our industry. The five associations met at the recent NRA Show to discuss how we can work together on this important indus- try issue. More on this will be shared as it develops. In a related but independent decision, FEDA has made it easier for rising stars in the dealer community to experience the 2015 annual convention. Thanks to the FEDA leadership, member firms will be able to send a FEDA Rising Star Decision Maker to the annual meeting with a $150 reduction in their registra- tion fee. To be eligible to participate, the Rising Star must be attending their first FEDA Convention. One Rising Star fee will be allowed for each FEDA primary membership or paid branch member- ship. This will be an excellent opportu- nity to acquaint future decision makers with FEDA, as well as important channel issues and the bigger industry picture. FEDA's Box Lunch Sales Training at The NAFEM Show Seminar FEDA will host its Sales Training Box Lunch Seminar, "The SELL Process- Your Offense," Friday, February 20, dur- ing The NAFEM Show (February 19-21, 2015) at the Anaheim Convention Center. Sponsored by our good friends Hatco Corp., the program will be presented by popular sales trainer Don Buttrey from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Stop by for lunch and stay for some professional sales training. Registration materials will be sent to all FEDA members in late October or early November. Plan ahead and mark your calendar. More will be sent to the membership in the near future regarding show registration and instructions for FEDA's room block at two Anaheim, Calif., hotels. Take a FEDA Tour FEDA members interested in a tour of the FEDA website should email Amy Risinger at FEDA (amy@feda.com). Amy will help you to take full advantage of the education and industry information available. FEDA 2015 Convention Work on freshening up FEDA's 2015 convention is already underway. Plan to attend March 25-29 at the J W Marriott Desert Ridge Resort and Spa, Phoenix, Ariz. The 2015 conven- tion chair is Carl Gustafson of Ace Mart Restaurant Supply and the assis- tant chair is Jay Ringelheim of Globe Equipment Co.