The Specialty Tools & Fasteners Distributors Association is relocating its 2021 convention from Charlotte to Orlando due to North Carolina Covid pandemic restrictions.

The 45th annual convention and trade show will be held October 24-26, 2021, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando.

The previously scheduled events were the first week of November in Charlotte. The 44th held virtually in 2020 due to the pandemic.

According to STAFDA’s announcement North Carolina and the city of Charlotte have restrictions making it “impossible for STAFDA to plan or move forward with its meeting. Receptions are not allowed; the 40,000 sq ft ballroom at the Charlotte Convention Center, which can normally handle 4,000 people for STAFDA’s general session is only accepting up to 473 people.”

STAFDA noted numerous meetings previously scheduled in cities with tight restrictions – including Las Vegas, Baltimore, and Charlotte – are migrating to new locations, particularly Orlando. Florida’s governor and Orlando’s mayor have developed effective and safe plans to reintroduce live meetings without compromising attendees’ health. The OCCC’s health guidelines are available online: occc.net/meetingsafely.

STAFDA would not be able to hold its general session, opening or closing receptions or educational programs. Manufacturers and buying groups who entertain and hold meetings during the STAFDA convention would also be impacted.

In Orlando STAFDA will open with a Sunday evening reception at Mario Andretti.s Indoor Karting & Games and TopGolf.

STAFDA is working with Charlotte on a 2027 convention.

STAFDA also announced author, entrepreneur, innovator and co-founder of business magazine, Fast Company, Bill Taylor will be the keynote speaker. His address during STAFDA’s “sapphire” anniversary is titled: “Talent, Culture and the New World of Work: How to Unleash & Sustain Fierce Execution & Nonstop Innovation.”  

His three books are: Simply Brilliant: How Great Organizations Do Ordinary Things in Extraordinary Ways; Practically Radical; and Mavericks at Work. Taylor also is a regular contributor to the Harvard Business Review.

Registration opens June 28. Web: STAFDA.org

Multiple fastener events have been postponed to autumn and STAFDA’s new October dates take it away from both Fastener Fair USA (November 9-10, in Cleveland) and Fastener Fair Stuttgart (November 9-11).  The joint conference with Pacific-West Fastener Association and Southwestern Fastener Association in San Antonio (October 20-23) ends the day before STAFDA in Orlando.