BSA 2013 Convention — May 4-7 — Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

About the Convention

Put Your Team in the Winner's Circle! BSA believes "We Are All In This to Win" and has assembled a first-rate team of speakers and presenters for the 2013 Annual Convention. Pair this team with BSA's world-class networking opportunities and the relationship-building potential of the Conference Table Session to advance your team to the Winner's Circle in 2013.

Few business cycles have provided more challenge or more opportunity. The recovering economy is complicated by uneven strengths and weaknesses in this country and abroad.

Plan now to join us and take advantage of the only annual networking program attended by the highest level executives from the bearing industry.

This year's program will include:

  • America's Uneven Prosperity: What's Hot and What's Not (Sunday Morning). Dr. Bruce Yandle who was associated with Bearings & Drives before launching his academic career, will define the booming global economy and focus on the situation for the much weaker U.S. economy. He will consider Industries, regions, and states in a search for what's hot, what's not, and what's critically important to the success of bearing distributors. Along the way, he will forecast for U.S. sectors, regions, and industries. 

  • Top Gun Leadership: Never Fly Solo (Sunday Morning). Waldo Waldman teaches organizations and individuals how to build trusting, revenue-producing relationships with their employees, partners, and customers while sharing his experiences as a decorated combat fighter pilot and businessman. The solution to winning when the heat is on lies in the ability of every wingman in your organization, regardless of their role, to support the team and be 100% committed to the mission.

  • Generational Differences: Inside Out (Monday Morning). Eric Chester will address today's work ethic. If you're looking to build young people, build business or both, you've come to the right place.
  • Panel Discussion: Interest in Our Industry (Monday Morning). Moving beyond Eric Chester's discussion about the work force, Ken Hopkins, President of Koyo Bearings USA and COO of JTEKT of North America, will moderate this distinguished panel that includes industry leaders as well as key representatives from the education and recruitment sectors of the business world. They are: Neil Schrimsher, CEO of Applied Industrial Technologies, Brian Negri, Vice President of Jamaica Bearings, Kevin Krause, CEO of BaxterKrause and John Lummus, Vice President of Economic and Institutional Advancement at Tri-County Technical College to explore the changing dynamics of today's workforce and address the all-important questions about attracting and retaining the talent necessary to win in today's marketplace.
  • A Humorous Look at Personal, Professional, Family Success (Monday Morning) Michael Broome will help you achieve a balance in living. In a hectic age when we are pulled in so many directiions, Broome shows the keys to focusing our talents for the benefit of others and ourselves. Motivation, people management, family life, self-esteem, and goal setting strategies  are delivered in a hilarious, yet informative style.  
  • For a new twist on our last evening: Attendees will hear from Terry Bowden, a dynamic motivational speaker who also happens to be well-acquainted with winning teams. As a member of one of college football’s legendary playing and coaching families, Bowden has moved from outstanding student-athlete, to National Coach of the Year, to one of college football’s leading television and radio personalities.

  • Annual industry update from the ABMA (Sunday Morning).

  • Annual industry update from BSA based on the Distributor Survey results (Sunday Morning).

  • Eight pre-scheduled, twenty-minute private appointments with channel partners to address bearing industry concerns and resolve business problems (Tuesday Morning).

Follow the links to learn more about each of these dynamic speakers and programs.

The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort and Spa in Hilton Head, South Carolina, offers the ideal setting to blend business with pleasure. Nestled amid lush landscaping on 24 environmentally-preserved acres, the fully remodeled ocean-front resort provides gracious Southern hospitality in a turn-of-the-century seaside setting. The property offers deluxe guestrooms and suites, ample amenities, a lavish spa facility, a world-class golf club and fine dining. We look forward to seeing you May 4– May 7!

Don't miss this opportunity that happens only once each year!


Click here to register today for the BSA 2013 Convention!

Click here for Tips on How to get the most out of the convention.


2013 Convention Planning Committee

Wally and Carla Budzielek, AMI Bearings. Inc.
Andy and Carolyn Nations, Bearings and Drives, Inc., Chairman
Linda Miller, Bearings and Drives, Inc.
Mike and Sue Ketchel, Erie Bearings Company
Steve and Cindy Smidler, Kaman Industrial Technologies Corp.
Ken and Bonnie Hopkins, Koyo


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