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PTDA 2009 Industry Summit October 22 - 24, 2009 Hilton San Diego Bayfront San Diego, California

Session Descriptions

Opening Keynote: Engineering Your Next Move with Dean Kamen
Closing Keynote: The Road Ahead...with Dr. Robert Genetski
Workshop: Assessing the Options with the Cleveland Research Company
Workshop: Plotting the Path to New Markets with Dr. William R. McCleave
Workshop: Is It the Time to Move? with J. Michael Marks

Sessions featuring this symbol are joint events open to both PTDA and FPDA members.

Opening Keynote Address:  Engineering Your Next Move Dean Kamen President, DEKA Research and Development Corporation Founder, US FIRST (For the Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Friday, October 23 8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Opening Keynote Breakfast sponsored by Tribute, Inc. and Nord Gear Corp.

Most well-known as the inventor of the Segway™ Personal Transporter, Dean Kamen is president of DEKA Research & Development Corporation based in Manchester, N.H. DEKA is a dynamic company focused on the development of revolutionary new technologies that span a diverse set of applications.

As an inventor and entrepreneur, Kamen holds more than 440 U.S. and foreign patents, many of them for innovative medical devices that have expanded the frontiers of health care worldwide. Kamen was awarded the National Medal of Technology in 2000 by President Clinton for inventions that have advanced medical care worldwide and for innovative and imaginative leadership in awakening America to the excitement of science and technology. He was also awarded the Lemelson-MIT Prize in 2002 and was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in May 2005.

Kamen has dedicated his life to developing technologies that help people lead better lives, and this inspired him to found the non-profit US FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology). The vision of FIRST is to inspire young people to be science and technology leaders by engaging them in exciting mentor-based programs that build science, engineering and technology skills, inspire innovation and foster well-rounded life capabilities including self-confidence, communication and leadership. Kamen’s commitment to inspiring young people’s interest in science and technology makes him an ideal keynote speaker.

"To transform our culture by creating a world where science and technology are celebrated and where young people dream of becoming science and technology heroes."
Dean Kamen, Founder

Download Dean Kamen's biography.

Closing Keynote Address:  The Road Ahead... Dr. Robert Genetski President, Robert Genetski & Associates, Inc. Saturday, October 24 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Closing Keynote Lunch sponsored by Activant

One of the nation’s premier economic forecasters, Dr. Robert Genetski’s insights into economic and financial matters are the knowledge you need to make your next move.  His vision on how the new administration’s policies are shaping the financial landscape of the industry will provide the background to make timely and effective decisions that enhance profits and market positions.  

As one of 50 economists contributing to the Blue Chip Economic Indicator, Genetski has been commended on his ability to out-forecast the pack.  He is the author of Taking the Voodoo Out of Economics, an influential book that anticipated and shaped many of the major policy changes that are now occurring throughout the world. 

Through a presentation sprinkled with humor, Genetski will explain the implications of recent policy changes in interest rates and the economic landscape that lies ahead.  Covering consumer spending, inventory levels, capital goods spending and what to expect in the manufacturing sector, you’ll walk away with the critical economic data you need to make decisions with confidence. 

Download Dr. Robert Genetski's biography.

Concurrent Workshops

Friday Morning Workshop Break sponsored by Halifax Rack & Screw Cutting Co. Ltd. and Hitachi Maxco

Will your next move involve an exploration of new markets?  Where are the end-user markets for power transmission, fluid power and motion control industries headed for 2010 and beyond?  Where will new business come from after the recession?  The experts from the Cleveland Research Company, an independent market research and equity financial analysis firm, will help you plan for growth.  Their presentation will focus on recent industrial and end-user market trends and expectations for the coming year and will feature industry outlooks and forecasts not available anywhere else.

Concurrent Workshop:  Plotting the Path to New Markets Dr. William R. McCleave President, W.R. McCleave & Associates Friday, October 23 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. (repeat of morning session)

As the industry moves through a turbulent economic environment, distributors are finding new ways to enhance the business they have in existing markets and are leveraging their expertise to develop opportunities in new markets. But, as many distributors are discovering, the path is not without challenges.

To develop these opportunities, distributors have to plan from a different perspective and often take on risks and find leverage in unfamiliar places. To make the path to new markets less daunting and more rewarding, this informative program will provide participants with solid guidelines on how to identify and pursue new market opportunities. The program will include the following:

• Finding the new opportunities: old game, new tools: better results.
• Scoring the “PM Matrix” potential for your firm. 
• Testing the water.
• Building the new market plan.
• Tuning up your “CA”pabilities [“CA” = Competitive Advantage(s)].
• Re-allocating your resources.
• Leveraging your strengths.
• Pursing partnerships.

Participants will also hear from experts who have developed new markets and profited from the experience. Use their knowledge to find new opportunities and avoid the pitfalls of moving markets.

Download Dr. William R. McCleave's biography.

Concurrent Workshop:  Is It the Time to Move? J. Michael Marks Managing Partner, Indian River Consulting Group Friday, October 23 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. (repeat of morning session)

Who would have thought that the value at risk model of portfolio strategy was actually wrong?  Now that the market understands and accepts the reality of the situation, the long slog to recovery has begun.  It is time to get on with building a business in this new environment.

Mike Marks shares his straight-from-the-shoulder hard look at what needs to happen next.  With insights from his recent NAW research project around competitive strategy, Marks will present a model you can use to assess your risks of investment.  Manufacturers and distributors alike need to make investments in innovation to exploit emerging opportunities.  There is a time to stay hunkered down, and then there is a time to move.  There are risks to getting the timing wrong, but survivors and the new winners know that not making a decision is a losing strategy.  The goal is not to avoid risk but to take it deliberately with research and foresight.

This is not a discussion of eye candy motivational good ideas.  This is a focused analytical look at real risk and how to make the best call possible in uncertainty.  According to Marks, “This may not be very entertaining but it is an important and serious look at how to play the game to win instead of playing it not to lose.”  This is one not to miss.

Download J. Michael Marks' biography.

PTDA 2009 Industry Summit
Schedule of Events
Manufacturer-Distributor Idea Exchange (MD-IDEX)
Networking Opportunities
Governance
Spouse/Companion Events
Sponsorship Opportunities
Hotel Information
Registration Information
Online Registration
Download the PTDA 2009 Industry Summit brochure (PDF)

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