2023 Management & Educational Conference Recap

(June, 2023) Renew and Reconnect was the theme of TCATA's 2023 Annual Management and Educational Conference held at The Phoenician in Scottsdale, AZ. Members in attendance enjoyed networking, fantastic business sessions, and the opportunity to share ideas with other industry professionals at our inaugural Executive Idea Exchange.

The conference kicked off on Sunday evening with a reception and Arizona Fair Taco Bar while members enjoyed a live band, leather branding, and agate crystal painting.

The first business session of the conference was our inaugural Executive Idea Exchange moderated by industry stalwart Bill Odorizzi, retired from Sankosha USA. Bill guided attendees through the exercise of addressing two predetermined questions posed to each table. Tables were preassigned to assure a mix of Manufacturers and Distributors. Each group was given 45 minutes to discuss each question at their tables. Ideas were then shared with the group. Members gave positive feedback on our first Executive Idea Exchange.

On Tuesday morning, keynote speaker Gene Marks of the Marks Group shared current political, economic, and technological trends that will impact companies in 2023 in his presentation From Washington to the Workplace.

Scott Otto of the Distribution Strategy Group presented valuable business strategies in his session titled Navigating Change in Times of Uncertainty. Scott addressed what drives change and how to navigate through the change cycle. Speaker presentations and notes from the Executive Idea Exchange are available to view or download in the Member's Only section of our website. Contact Luci at luci@tcata.org if you need assistance with your log in credentials.

At the closing reception and dinner, TCATA recognized two anniversary members in attendance. Members enjoyed a lively evening of networking and celebrations that included acknowledgment of the Business Committee and TCATA staff who worked tirelessly to put together the business program.

Eight past presidents attended the conference.

Pictured are: Fred Schwarzmann, Leslie Schaeffer, Bill Odorizzi, John Silverman, Alex Atwater, and Rick Kelly. Also in attendance but not pictured were Bruce Johnson and Gerald Henke.

A message from Rusty Smith, TCATA Conference Chair and President of Forenta-

Every time I attend a TCATA Conference, I am reminded of how valuable it is to network with such an incredible group of industry professionals. This year’s conference in Scottsdale reaffirmed that feeling!

There were many folks who contributed to the success of the 2023 conference. However, Leslie, Luci, John, the Business Committee, and the Board of Directors deserve special recognition for all the painstaking planning that went into a very successful and productive time at the Phoenician Resort.

I hope you left the conference just like I did, with a renewed sense of camaraderie with your industry peers and armed with new ideas on how to improve your business. You may be wondering, ‘How is the 2024 conference going to top this one?’ I have a sneaky feeling that Leslie and Luci are already working on that!