ASA President’s Letter

RSS

I held my first meeting as ASA president and was impressed by the volunteers who gathered for our winter strategic retreat in Southern California. LEAD, an invitation-only event for ASA volunteers and past presidents, drew nearly 100 attendees.

In the cold, gloomy Midwest, I aim for two daily goals: 30 minutes of light exercise and learning something new, often from the American Supply Association website, which I highly recommend.

The new president of the American Supply Association (ASA) shares his 18-year journey, highlighting ASA's value in networking and equality among wholesalers.

As my presidency at ASA concludes, I reflect on a year of financial stability, networking growth, and key initiatives like the Strategic Leadership and Innovation Summits.

Technology is a catalyst for change, reshaping our work lives through automation, advanced data analytics, and artificial intelligence. As industry leaders, we must embrace these changes to maintain our competitive edge and ensure the survival of our businesses.

ASA has recognized how important data standardization is to our industry. About two years ago, at our LEAD strategic planning retreat, we discussed how ASA could get involved and help guide our industry.

More than 50 ASA companies have flipped the switch on the “Now Hiring” option on supplyindustrycareers.com with more than 2,500 brick-and-mortar locations nationwide.

ASA member manufacturers reported a mixed bag of sales results so far in 2024, according to the latest ASA Quarterly Market Survey.

Are you worried about the time and cost? Unsure about the benefits of membership or renewing? These are all valid concerns. Just as we invest in our businesses to make them better, ASA is another tool to help us improve.

Successful business leaders must understand the economy, market performance, and future outlook to make informed decisions for success.