ASA’s Emerging Leaders Provides Valuable Programming to the Industry’s Next Generation

Finish the quote, “You’re only as good as your….”

How did you finish it? Your last game? Your last quarter? Your last performance?

Although many people know some version of this quote, they tend to subconsciously live by it too, unfortunately whether they realize it or not.

That shouldn’t be a deterrent though. If you want something done or are expecting a certain outcome, you can’t wait for it. You have to take action and make it happen.

ASA members continue to be part of the only national trade association for PHCP-PVF wholesalers, their suppliers and independent manufacturers’ reps of those products because they want their company to make it happen.

Coming off a record-setting attendance last month at EMERGE2023, the annual event hosted by ASA’s Emerging Leaders Division, attendees were asked what they value most about being ASA members.

“I have found ASA to be a great benefit for networking and ongoing education,” Laura Mustee Hendricks of Cleveland, Ohio-based E.L. Mustee and Sons said. “Ongoing education can be as simple as reaching out to industry buddies for some advice regarding an ongoing issue that’s been a struggle to resolve.

“A strong network can lead to recommendations and referrals, increasing chances of landing new clients, partnerships or business opportunities. These benefits have helped me better understand and support customer needs. Our industry is built on relationships and these relationships can provide valuable support, guidance and opportunities for collaboration. ASA has helped facilitate and promote a reliable network for distributers, manufacturers and reps alike.”

Dan New, president of Elkhart, Indiana-based Mid-City Supply and past chairman of the Emerging Leaders Division, shared this:

“We use as many ASA resources as we can.  The training courses in ASA University have helped our associates improve their knowledge not only on products, but on their jobs as a whole, which has greatly helped our company,” he said. “The networking and educational opportunities at EMERGE, ELEVATE (ASA’s Women in Industry Division conference), and NETWORK (ASA’s annual national conference in November) allow us to expand the thinking of our associates. Those conferences allow them to see how great our industry is and learn from other companies and individuals who are in the same position they are. Our associates come back energized and motivated to do their jobs more effectively and efficiently.”

Attendees of EMERGE were also polled on which session they liked most, and what they enjoyed most about the event, held in Savannah, Georgia (and headed to Boston next May).

Brian Arendt, of Auburn Hills, Michigan-based Legend Valve, highlighted the always popular best practices roundtable discussions and specifically gave a thumbs up to how the table attendees were assembled.

Lucas Pahl, of Plymouth, Minnesota-based wholesaler J.H. Larson Co., enjoyed the state of the industry panel, which featured a new format this year with a builder, a plumbing contractor, a designer and an engineer on stage answering questions generated by EL members and moderated by current Emerging Leaders Advisory Council Chairwoman Stephanie Cook (Baltimore, Maryland-based Northeastern Supply). This session again rated highly in the survey and has quickly become a staple along with the best practices roundtables.

One member also had a suggestion on how to increase attendance in future years, wanting to have ASA member companies send even more women to future EMERGE events.

“There should be more crossover with Women in Industry attendance,” the attendee noted. “The WII room is full of emerging leaders and yet there were only a handful of women at the EMERGE event in Savannah. Why aren't the companies who send women to WII sending emerging leaders — men and women — to EMERGE?”

Passionately driven by education and networking, these Emerging Leaders and ASA member companies alike are taking the next step to engage with the industry even further by getting more of their team involved.