The Tool & Equipment Distributors Associates (better known as TEDA) hosted its 2018 Annual Meeting in Ellicott City, Maryland, June 11-14. Representatives from all ten TEDA warehouse distributors and 69 tool and equipment vendors attended this year’s gathering. In addition to the much anticipated golf tournament, attendees participated in one-on-one conferences, networking opportunities and vendor exhibits. TEDA President Glenn Pratt led the annual Vendor Advisory Meeting which served to recap the group’s mission, achievements and goals for the coming year.
TEDA’s format was carefully designed and refined over the years to offer maximum interaction between warehouse distributor members and tool vendor partners. The one-on-one sessions were a response to more than 40 requests for private conferences at the event. Pratt kicked off the meeting by welcoming first-time attendees, new TEDA members and new TEDA headquarters staff. He noted this was a successful year, with steady market growth overall. Over the past year the group has seen an increase in distributor locations. Pratt also noted TEDA volume is on track for continued growth through 2018.
"The most powerful feedback from our distributor members was 'Give us more new products and promotions to bring to market," says Pratt.
At the 2-day exhibit and display show goers had six minutes per table to focus on key business elements, new products and promotional opportunities.
Sunex Tools (Wednesday) and Ingersoll-Rand (Thursday) were presented awards for 'Best Show Promotion' while Milwaukee Tools (Wednesday) and Astro Pneumatic (Thursday) took honors for 'Best Exhibit Presentation.'
Best performing product categories for the year included items in A/C, battery service, electric power and imported.
Rob Halbritter, president of Midstate Tool & Supply Inc. underscored the value of TEDA to distribution channels, saying “This [show] helps us to see the products first-hand. We thank you (vendors) for those efforts.”
Warehouse distributors interested in more information, or looking to join TEDA, can contact Glen Pratt at (301) 490-9220.
Held every year, the 2019 TEDA conference will be held again at the Turf Valley Resort, Ellicott City, June 10.
