Nice foursome. Golf course was good as was the pace of play.
Bob Ruland, Ruland ManufacturingAwesome convention!
Howard Gainey, DXP Enterprises, Inc.The format for the golf and tennis clinic worked out well with the lunch and clinic before playing the sport.
Tom Olson, Bearing Engineering CompanyVery good content this year. It was nice to invite non-member distributors to participate.
Bill Taylor, Peer Bearing CompanyThe recognition and visibility of AMI Bearings in the marketplace has risen tremendously because of our participation in BSA.
Wally Budzielek, AMI BearingsIt was quite nice, the highlight of the day. The meal and company was great.
Bill Childers, C&U AmericasThis is one of the most well run, organized events I've attended. Excellent activities, speakers and format. Bravo!
Jeff Guritza, OsbornWhat a wonderful time, I had the opportunity to meet so many of the other spouses.
Barbara Howard, Interstate Bearing SystemsTruly an outstanding convention. I am very proud of the association.
Peter Negri, Jamaica BearingsThe structure and size of BSA provides an exclusivity that helps to elevate discussions, networking opportunities and overall ROI.
Ben Mondics, Applied Industrial Technologies
Value of Convention Attendance
Already Registered
Business Program
America's Uneven Prosperity | Top Gun Leadership | Generational Differences | Panel Discussion | Personal, Professional | BSA Update | ABMA Update
BSA believes "We Are In This to Win" and has assembled a first-rate team of speakers and presenters for the 2013 Annual Convention.
America's Uneven Prosperity: What's Hot and What's Not
Sunday, May 5, 9:30 am - 10:30 am
Dr. Bruce Yandle, Professor of Economics Emeritus, Clemson University, and Dean Emeritus of Clemson’s College of Business & Behavioral Science
America's uneven prosperity and future prospects form the theme of this session. Dr. Yandle, who was associated with Bearings & Drives before launching his academic career, will define the booming global economy and then 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.
Dr. Bruce Yandle is Professor of Economics Emeritus, Clemson University, and Dean Emeritus of Clemson’s College of Business & Behavioral Science where he taught for 31 years. Dr. Yandle has lectured in graduate programs in France, Germany, Italy and the Czech Republic and is a Distinguished Adjunct Professor of Economics with George Mason University’s Capitol Hill Campus. Prior to entering an academic career in 1967, he was associated with Bearings & Drives, Inc. for 15 years. Starting as truck driver and bookkeeper, he became vice president in charge of the firm’s Atlanta region. Click here to learn more about Dr. Bruce Yandle. Click here to read Dr. Yandle's March Economic Situation report.
Top Gun Leadership: Never Fly Solo
Sunday, May 5th, 10:30 am - 11:30 am
Lt. Col. Rob "Waldo" Waldman, Founder and President of The Patriot Group, Speaker and Author
A graduate of the Air Force Academy, Waldman is a highly decorated F-16 fighter pilot with more than 65 combat missions in Iraq and Serbia. But he’s also earned his wings in business as a top sales producer for several companies before founding his own peak performance firm, Wingman Consulting. He 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.
Lt. Col. Rob "Waldo" Waldman is author of the New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller Never Fly Solo. Spouses are highly encouraged to attend.
Click here to learn more about Waldo Waldman

Generational Differences: Inside Out
Monday, May 6th, 7:30 am - 8:30 am
Eric Chester, Author, Speaker and founder of
the
Center
for
Work
Ethic
Development
Eric Chester developed a new program entitled Turning Rookies into Superstars: How to Get Young Talent to Perform Better, Lead Faster, and Stay Longer. If you're looking to build young people, build business or both, you've come to the right place. Trying to run a business with employees who are lacking in work ethic is like trying to fly a plane without fuel. Similarly, without a strong work ethic, a promising career will never get off the ground.
Since 1988, Eric Chester has been known by millions as the premier expert on Generation Y. As an award-winning speaker and author, he was the first to explain the differences the new generation brought to the workforce, and he emgered as the "go to" guy when employers wanted to know how to recruit, train, manage, motivate, and retain them in the workforce.
Click here to learn more about Eric Chester.
Panel Discussion: Interest in Our Industry
Monday, May 6th, 8:30 am - 9:45 am
Moderated by Ken Hopkins, the President of Koyo Bearings USA and the COO of JTEKT of North America, the panel is charged with exploring today’s changing workforce dynamics. Attracting, developing and retaining a competent, competitive workforce is a challenge shared by all bearing industry leaders. Join us for a lively discussion of a topic that is not only on the mind of every person attending the BSA Convention, but also promises to be of growing importance in the future of the industry. BSA is honored to welcome a 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 is the CEO of Applied Industrial Technologies. He joined Applied Industrial Technologies in 2011 and brings the perspective of someone who recently decided to be a part of the bearing industry.
Brian Negri is the Vice President at Jamaica Bearings. He is a third generation "bearing guy" and chose to commit his future to our industry.
Kevin Krause is the CEO of BaxterKrause, one of the top seven executive recruiting firms in the Southeast. In addition to his extensive experience in recruiting top talent into numerous industries, Krause understands what today's workforce is looking for.
John Lummus is the Vice President of Economic and Institutional Advancement at Tri-County Technical College. He is educating and training those who may choose to make the bearing industry their future career.
Ken Hopkins is the President of Koyo Bearings USA and the COO of JTEKT of North America and the moderator of this panel.
A Humorous Look at Personal, Professional, Family Success
Monday, May 6th, 10:15 am - 11:15 am
Michael Broome, Speaker and Author
Achieving a balance in living is the ultimate barometer of success. In a hectic age when we are pulled in so many directions, 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.
Since 1979 Michael Broome has addressed over 3,000 audiences throughout the world. Michael chose the speaking profession because of his passion to inspire people to maximize their potential, be servant/leaders, achieve a life balance …and he loves the applause. His commitment to training is demonstrated by the Broyhill Leadership Conferences of which he is founder and president. Over 29,000 participants from throughout North America have attended these weeklong conferences where they are taught the principles of achievement.
Click here to learn more about Michael Broome.
BSA Update
Sunday, May 5th, 8:00 am - 8:15 am
Jack Simpson, Director-Product Mgmt. Bearings & Seals of Applied Industrial Technologies and BSA Vice President, will provide an update on the bearing industry's growth from the distributor perspective including data from BSA's Annual Distributor Report Survey.
ABMA Update
Sunday, May 5th, 8:15 am- 9:00 am
Pete Eich, President of NTN Bearing Corporation of America, Executive Officer for NTN Corporation, Osaka, Japan and chair of ABMA, will present an update on growth in the bearing industry from the perspective of the American Bearing Manufacturers Association.