NBMDA 2007 Press Releases

For Immediate Release
November 19, 2007

Contact Information
Kevin Gammonley
888.747.7862
kgammonley@nbmda.org

Top Industry Professionals Gather at
NBMDA Annual Convention & Tabletop Business Session

November 19, 2007 (Chicago) The North American Building Material Distribution Association (NBMDA) held its 2007 Annual Convention & Tabletop Business Session, November 3-4 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Nearly 500 business professionals attended the event representing some the country’s leading corporations in the building material distribution industry.

“This year’s convention was outstanding and I’m extremely pleased we were able to provide another high-quality event dedicated to those in our industry,” commented Kevin Gammonley, NBMDA’s Executive Vice President. “Part of our mission as an organization is to promote the effectiveness of the distribution process for our members and I think we were able to do that this year in Colorado Springs.”

Ken Schmidt, former director of communications for Harley-Davidson Motor Company, kicked-off the event with his Keynote address “Make Some Noise.” Schmidt gave insight on his time at Harley-Davidson and provided practical and innovative ideas in which attendees could apply directly to their companies.

Two additional guest speakers, Brian Beaulieu and Edgar Papke also presented sessions that addressed the most recent downtown in the housing market, a shift directly affecting the distribution industry. Tips and advice were given on how businesses could plan for and prosper through the economic change. Both speakers were a direct result of NBMDA’s recent partnership with Vistage International, the world’s largest CEO membership organization. Vistage played an integral role in designing the educational programming for the convention and had discussion facilitators on-hand at the various committee meetings and roundtable discussion sessions.

In addition to the educational programming, attendees were able to network with more than 100 exhibitors on-hand at the Tabletop Business Session. Many of the top industry’s leading manufacturers and service providers were in attendance and provided a unique opportunity for attendees to have one-on-one, uninterrupted discussions with senior executives from suppliers and trading partners from around the country. Additionally, many manufacturers hosted their own distributor-oriented meetings and functions in conjunction with the convention allowing for even greater access.

Additional highlights of the convention included an Awards Luncheon, Industry Issues Focus Group, “Hot Topics” Discussion Session and various dinners and receptions where attendees were able to network with one another.

“With such a successful convention this year, we look forward to next year and what the future holds,” commented Gammonley. The 2008 Annual Convention & Tabletop Business Session takes place November 12-13, 2008 at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland.

For more information on NBMDA, visit www.nbmda.org or contact NBMDA Headquarters at (888)747-7862.

About NBMDA
NBMDA is a multi-segment trade association representing the leading wholesale distributors of specialty building products and woodworking materials. Membership segments represent distributors and manufacturers that serve the independent building material, lumber, and kitchen and bath dealer, regional and national home centers, as well as those that serve production companies involved in cabinetry, architectural woodwork, stock woodwork, store fixtures, solid surface fabricating, plastics fabricating, general and specialty woodworking industries. Distributor members operate more than 900 distribution centers throughout the U.S. and Canada . The association's collective purchasing power exceeds $25 billion. Founded in 1952, NBMDA's mission is to develop and promote the effectiveness of distribution processes to improve member profitability and growth.