Booth space and hotel rooms are nearly sold out for the 42nd annual Specialty Tools & Fasteners Distributors Association convention will be October 28-30, 2018, at the Phoenix Convention Center.

Nine 50×50 islands have been booked for the trade show and only 20 of of the 663 booths remain, executive director Georgia Foley announced. STAFDA has an adjacent exhibit hall on ‘hold’ if necessary.

STAFDA’s five host hotels were sold out by mid-July and three overflow properties also filled quickly. STAFDA just added another hotel, the Found:RE. Reservations may be made online at STAFDA.org.

There are 20 Tech Fair companies registered, including five new vendors.

College students in supply chain, industrial distribution or construction majors are invited to participate in convention activities, including a speed job and internship Interviewing session.

Building leaders, social media selling, improving profitability, “fear” of selling and successful succession are workshop topics (see FIN August 7, 2018).

STAFDA previously announced that The Energy Bus and The Power of a Positive Team author Jon Gordon will be the keynote speaker. STAFDA president Michelle St. John will give the State of the Industry presentation and Bill Sisto, G-Strut national agency sales manager, will give the Associate State-of-the-Industry address.