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The AVDA 2008 Annual Conference,
Connecting Great Ideas and Great People, will commence Sunday, April 27
at the Loews Ventana Canyon Resort in Tucson, Arizona. This will be the
highest meeting attendance on record for AVDA with 210 registered
attendees. If you have not yet registered for the conference
click here for the
conference brochure and
here for the
registration form.
Every year AVDA presents our members with a stellar line-up of speakers
and this year is no exception. Make note in your Blackberry, Trio or
iPhone to attend the following sessions:
Monday, April 28, 2008
8:30 - 10 am
An Economic Update and Forecast for the Animal Health Industry
Alan Beaulieu, Institute for Trend Research
Alan Beaulieu is a rare creature—an economist with an engaging sense of
humor. Beaulieu is one of AVDA’s most highly rated speakers with his
informative blend of economic analysis and forecasting. He will return
this year to update attendees on short-term and long-term economic
forecasts and their impact on the animal health industry. What’s in
store for the U.S. and global economies in 2008 and beyond? How can you
anticipate changes and capitalize on them before your competitors do?
Alan Beaulieu has provided economic forecasts with 98 percent accuracy.
Hear his thoughts on the economic outlook with particular attention paid
to the animal health industry.
10:15 – 11:45 am
Been There, Done That! Best Practices in Managing Age Diversity
Bob Wendover, The Center for Generational Studies
A melting pot? A stew? A tossed salad? Whatever we call it, age
differences in today’s workplace have become a major challenge for
supervisors young and old. Veteran managers think young people lack
initiative and common sense. Young workers think older employees are
stuck in their ways. Young people depend upon technology. Older workers
depend upon their experience. And so it goes. But there are
organizations and individuals who are thriving in spite of these
challenges. Been There, Done That! will help you connect with the needs
and desires of the diverse generations in your workplace. Go beyond
awareness of the issue and learn how managers in your industry and
others are not just surviving, but thriving with the young talent
entering the workforce. Walk away with practical ideas and strategies
for recruiting, motivating and retaining the generations, young and old.
11:45 am – 1:00 pm
Differing Paths to Profitability: How Distributors and Manufacturers
Make Money
John Mackay, Mackay Research Group
Both manufacturers and distributors have Return On Investment (ROI)
goals. This program examines how manufacturers and distributors differ
in their method to achieve equivalent, comparative ROI.
Business owners, whether it is a manufacturing business or a
distribution business, are focused on company performance; sales, gross
margin, inventory turnover, and ultimately the bottom line. Customers or
suppliers, however, tend to focus on their own results. The way the
manufacturers reach their ROI goal and the way the distributors reach
their ROI goal however are very different. Distributors and
manufacturers need to better understand each other's financial pressure
points in order for both groups to be successful. Mackay will also
review the results of the 2008 Profit Survey of distributor members and
incorporate these findings into his presentation.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
8:30 - 9 am
State Monitor Review
Gary Glotz, Cegedin Dendrite Solutions
Who knows what pedigree and legislative mysteries await the veterinary
industry? AVDA members who subscribe to the AVDA State Monitor Service
do. Every member company of AVDA is entitled to a subscription to the
State Monitor Service which provides the most current and up-to-date
listing of legislative issues facing our industry.
9 – 10:30 am
Bar Coding: The Future for the Animal Health Industry
Don Flynn, Honeywell imaging and Mobility (Formerly Handheld Products,
Inc.)
Barcoding has become the most proven and relied upon method to identify
and track people, products, packages, and other assets across all
industry segments – Retail, Transportation, Manufacturing, Package
Delivery, Government, Healthcare and many others. When understood and
implemented properly, the foundational best practices of barcoding has
proven to significantly improve supply chain efficiencies, reduce errors
and lower costs while improving customer service. This presentation will
give attendees the information they need to understand how barcoding can
be applied to the distribution of animal health products and the logical
next steps to evaluate this important technology.
Conference Special Events
Golf
The AVDA 2008
Scramble Golf Tournament will be held Tuesday, April 29 on the Canyon Course.
There are a limited number of
slots remaining. If you would like to register for golf, please
contact AVDA Headquarters at 443-640-1040 x114 and speak with Tina
Lavin, Association Coordinator.
Monday, April 28 Golf
Experience another golf course while in Tucson! Just a 5 minute drive
from the Loews Ventana Canyon you will find the Westin La Paloma Resort
& Spa which offers a 27-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course.
Twilight rates begin at 2pm and are $110. Reservations can be made 5
days from the desired date, call 520-299-1500. The Hilton Tucson El
Conquistador Golf & Tennis Resort is a 20 minute drive from the Loews
and features 45 holes of championship golf. Golf can be scheduled 7 days
in advance, call 520-544-1800.
Tennis
The AVDA Tennis Social on Monday, April 28th from 3 – 6pm is in danger
of cancelling. AVDA has arranged courts for our attendees however we do
not have enough players. There is no additional cost for tennis. Please
contact AVDA Headquarters at 443-640-1040 to sign-up or e-mail Tina
Lavin at tina@ksgroup.org.
Spouse Tour
We still have space available on the AVDA 2008 Spouse Tour. An
experienced tour guide will journey with AVDA spouses to The
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, a world-renowned zoo, natural history
museum and botanical garden, with over 300 animal species and 1,200
kinds of plants. The mission of the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is to
inspire people to live in harmony with the natural world by fostering
love, appreciation, and understanding of the Sonoran Desert. After the
museum, guests will dine at El Charro, the oldest Mexican restaurant in
Tucson and a fixture of the city. After lunch, guests are welcome to
shop in the Old Towne shopping district. This tour is free to all
registered spouses. Please contact AVDA Headquarters at 443-640-1040 to
sign-up or e-mail Tina Lavin at
tina@ksgroup.org.
Attendee Tour – Culinary Institute
Limited spots are left for the AVDA Attendee Tour – Loews Culinary
Institute on Tuesday, April 29. The highly-acclaimed Loews Culinary
Institute is an interactive cooking session designed to teach
participants essential techniques, unique ingredient combinations and
appealing food presentations. This is a truly unique cooking class where
meal options are not only based on the season but also corresponding
celestial signs creating a once in a lifetime experience. Great for
Foodies or anyone who loves to eat. This tour is only available to those
NOT participating in the AVDA Golf Tournament.
Welcome Reception
Remember to pack your jeans and join your AVDA amigos outside at the
Loews Coyote Corral for the Welcome Reception on Sunday, April 27 from 6
– 8pm. The reception will be an extended casual affair to accommodate
our travelers and their varying appetites. Attendees are welcome to wear
jeans or western wear and enjoy local cuisine and desert atmosphere.
Indulge in the hotel’s signature dishes like the Flying V Guacamole and
Caliente Fajitas. Visit the Margarita Bar to try special western spiced
Tequilas.
Click here to view the
conference special events.
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