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8 FEDA News & Views Association Highlights A New Era in Industry Education & Networking 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. A dvocacy of dealer-based distribu- tion has been the signature hall- mark of FEDA's mission since its inception in 1933. I have personally been with FEDA since 1983 and have seen the FEDA leadership expand and nurture the Association's role of advocacy beyond just the differences between channel partners. In the last four and a half years, FEDA presidents Brad Wasserstrom, Brad Pierce and Joe Schmitt have led the way in cooperative efforts with our chan- nel partners (FCSI, MASFSI, CFESA and NAFEM). Consider these developments: ➤ Dealers and man- ufacturers work- ing together with AutoQuotes to create the FEDA Data Interchange to expedite order status communi- cation and effi - c i e n c y — w i t h more technologi- cal effi ciencies yet to come! ➤ The constructive recognition of Exceptional Manufacturers who, by example, support dealer-based dis- tribution. ➤ There are ongoing discussions among the fi ve major industry trade associations regarding how we can cooperate and multiply our effec- tiveness for our members in areas such as periodic all-industry con- ventions in non-NAFEM-show years, joint efforts to expose bright young people to the many types of career opportunities within our industry, and the development of future edu- cation programs. Yes, FEDA will still staunchly defend the dealer's role in the channel of dis- tribution and speak out on issues, while remaining open to the many new and positive opportunities that will come from cooperative efforts with our indus- try partners. This is all due to the pro- gressive leadership of our industry asso- ciation leaders. Thank you for your com- mitment to our industry. The 2017 FEDA Convention Making great connections is what the FEDA Convention is all about. It is still the people you meet and the relation- ships your build that make FEDA extra spe- cial. Consider these convention enhance- ments for 2017: Our speaker budget has been doubled since 2015, resulting in more take-home value in both the morning and afternoon ses- sions. There is more emphasis on speaker action items and deliverables to take home and implement. This year there will be more networking opportunities with two fun afternoon ice cream socials and ping pong at the opening party. And for your convenience, FEDA will offer an online registration payment option and we will now take AMEX. The 2017 FEDA Convention will be held April 5 – 9 at the beautiful JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa. Our convention chair, Paul Parr, and assistant chair, Keith Kidwell, have cre- ated a terrifi c education and networking program under the theme "Leadership in a Changing Environment." The fi rst morning session will kick off with Best continued on page 52 There are ongoing discussions among the five major industry trade associations regarding how we can cooperate and multiply our effectiveness.