Beginning with Roundtable Discussions on Tuesday afternoon and ending with the Joint Industry Reception on Thursday evening, EMDA reps and distributors will fill their convention times with member-to-member contact; manufacturer and supplier interviews; and informative and entertaining convention programs. Meeting and networking opportunities are the main reason attendees and exhibitors participate in the Fall Convention and EMDA strives to provide the most effective structured means to enable such interaction. Tuesday, October 31, 2023 Arrival day for most attendees. Registration Desk & the Communications Center – Be sure to stop by the Registration Desk to pick up your badge. The Communication Center features profile cards for each convention attendee. EMDA – Gateway to North America – Get a jump on convention networking with this special roundtable session geared toward manufacturers looking to sell product into North America through reps and/or distributors. A panel of EMDA members will be on hand to help manufacturers learn the keys to creating successful partnerships with distributors and reps. Member Roundtables –Before jumping in to two full days of meetings and networking, this afternoon is devoted to member-to-member interaction. A highlight of the Association’s Spring meetings is now part of the Fall Convention too. Join Trey Price as he shares insights into Price Bros. Equipment Co. Price Bros. Equipment Co. has had continuous family ownership since 1918. Located in Wichita, Kansas, Price Bros. originally dates back to the early 1900s. Price Bros., a charter member of FEWA in 1945, currently has territory managers traveling in eight states. Wednesday, November 1, 2023 Joint Opening Session & Breakfast – The EMDA and FEMA Joint Opening Session is designed to bring the members together to “kick-off” their conventions with a dynamic presentation that will set the tone for an intensive week of appointments and meetings. The Joint Opening Session will feature Christopher Carter presenting The Credibility Advantage: Using Body Language to Sell your Product, your Service, and Yourself. Everybody is in sales. Because no matter what your job title or position, you’re always selling yourself! Christopher shows how to identify when your prospect is ready to buy, and how to communicate so that they’re always buying YOU. Christopher Carter is the body language expert that helps businesses build relationships. He shows sales and customer service professionals how to harness the power of body language to achieve astonishing results. And when he stresses the importance of “reading between the lines” of human behavior to build relationships, establish trust and credibility, and truly listen to the customer, he offers more than just words. People reading has never been this much fun! Sell more, create more loyal customers, and build more productive teams with one of the world’s most entertaining communication experts. EMDA’s Corporate Annual Meeting will include nominees for election and/or re-election to the Board, recognition of member milestones, and and updates on Association programs and future events. The EMDA Board is working on securing a presentation for the meeting, and will announce it once it is finalized. EMDA Contact Session – EMDA’s Contact Session is designed to provide manufacturers an opportunity for a quick introductory interview with individual EMDA member reps and distributors. The Contact Session is a “scheduling” event specifically designed to allow manufacturers to make initial contact with EMDA member reps and distributors to establish structured times for appointments during the convention week. New this year – The first 30-minutes of the Contact Session is open to EMDA Associate members only. The EMDA Partners Party – Wednesday concludes with a fun tradition, the EMDA Partners Party bringing reps and distributors together with the manufacturers that they do business with. The party is a “Thank You” to the manufacturers who understand the value that the EMDA network of distributors and reps provides in bringing their products to the marketplace. Thursday, November 2, 2023 Joint Industry Breakfast Buffet – When you don’t need to schedule a full-blown private appointment, but still need to make contact with certain suppliers – why not meet for breakfast at the Joint Breakfast Buffet. EMDA’s 2023 Industry Showcase – EMDA’s annual Industry Showcase is a highlight of the Fall Convention, bringing suppliers, distributors, reps and vendors together in almost 100 booths which feature products and services of interest to all. EMDA’s Industry Showcase is the gathering place for the industry at convention time to inform potential customers about products and services. You can grab lunch during the Showcase too. If you’re interested in exhibiting in the Showcase, you’ll find registration information here. Joint Industry Reception – Thursday concludes with the Joint Industry Reception. Meet your friends for hors d’oeuvres and cocktails at this party sponsored by the two associations party – a celebration of great meeting completed – and the perfect time to get in some last minute face-to face with attendees from both FEMA and EMDA. Joint Farewell Outing – Join us for one final joint networking event. FEMA and EMDA staffs are working out final details for a fun, off-site “farewell” outing. Shuttle buses will run from 6:45p to 9:15p. Friday, November 3, 2023 Main departure day to head home from Kansas City. Or take advantage of group rate at hotel and extend your stay for the weekend.