Call for Nominations: AVDA Lifetime Achievement Award

In 2008, the AVDA Lifetime Achievement Award was established. AVDA honored two lifetime award recipients at the 2008 annual conference, Dr. Bob Danielson of MWI Veterinary Supply and E. Thomas Corcoran of Fort Dodge Animal Health. If you would like to nominate someone for the 2009 award, review the criteria and submit a completed application by January 9, 2009. DETAILS

Are Your Ducks in a Row?

Nikki is the managing broker of a real estate office in Houston, Texas. Someone recently asked her if her ducks were in a row. Being the talented and effective leader that she is, she replied, "of course they are!" The follow up question got her. The person asked, "Are they all your ducks?" That is a great question. Upon further reflection, she realized many were NOT hers. DETAILS

FINANCIAL NEWS

Looking Forward: What Does AVDA Have in Store for 2009?

Many business people are hard at work planning for 2009 and trying to figure out how to position their companies to remain strong and competitive in these difficult economic times. Forecasting, budgeting and strategic planning are all part of the process.

A Special Report from Dr. Al Bates and Profit Planning Group (who conduct AVDA’s annual Profit Report), is essential reading for all distributors and suppliers. It points out that even modest changes in the terms of sale can have an extremely negative impact on the financial results of distributors. The report deals with cash discounts and datings on merchandise purchased by distributors from their suppliers. DETAILS

The Datings Game

In the current troubled economic environment, firms throughout the supply chain are making hard decisions about their relationships with other members of the chain. Many of the decisions have significant financial implications.

One of the most important considerations is the degree to which suppliers offer their distributor partners cash discounts and datings on the merchandise purchased. In a tight-credit/lowered-profit world, every supplier should review their terms of sale. To do otherwise would be to violate a fiduciary responsibility. DETAILS

EVENTS

AVDA Heads to Napa Valley in 2010

The AVDA 2010 Annual Conference will be held April 18 - 20, 2010 at the Silverado Resort^® in Napa, California. Mark your calendar!
The Silverado Resort^® is a luxury resort in Napa Valley with exceptional accommodations, dining, championship golf courses and spa. The Wine Country accommodations for our meeting are private cottage suites clustered around hidden courtyards, secluded swimming pools or lining the fairways of Silverado Resort's two golf courses. Each of the resort's cottage suites has its own unique décor, balcony or patio and private entrance. For more details visit their website http://www.silveradoresort.com/. 

AVDA to Co-Sponsor Brakke Networking Reception During NAVC

AVDA will once again co-sponsor the Brakke Consulting, Inc. Networking Reception with the KC Animal Health Corridor on Monday, January 19 immediately following the Brakke Consulting US Animal Health Industry Overview at the 2009 North American Veterinary Conference in Orlando, FL. The reception will be held from 4 to 6 pm at Auggie’s Jammin’ Piano Bar in the Gaylord Palms Resort.

Over 200 executives from animal health companies are expected to attend the reception, now in its third year. This is the second year for AVDA to co-sponsor this event. Invitations will be mailed this month to principals and alternates at AVDA member companies. The reception will be held directly across the hall from the Orange Blossom Ballroom, where the Brakke Overview will take place.

For more information on KC Animal Health Corridor please visit their website, www.kcanimalhealth.com. 

Registration is now open for the Animal Health Industry Overview at the NAVC. For information and to register, go to www.brakkeconsulting.com and find the link on the home page. Payment for the registration fee must be done on the internet at the time of registration. Visa, MC, and AMEX cards are accepted.

AVDA TRAINING

16th Anniversary of University of Industrial Distribution

AVDA is a proud co-sponsor of the University of Industrial Distribution (UID) celebrating 16 honored years of education in the distribution industry. UID is a concentrated educational program focused on the unique needs of wholesale distributors. AVDA is one of over thirty wholesaler-distributor associations that sponsor this event. The 2009 course will be held March 8 - 11 at Indiana University/Purdue University in Indianapolis, Indiana. DETAILS

2009 Academy of Training Schedule

AVDA has released its 2009 schedule of training events. Training opportunities range from meetings to webinars. Topics include sales, security and thriving in dynamic times. DETAILS

MEMBER NEWS

AVDA Welcomes Five New Members in 2008

AVDA welcomed five new members in 2008 -- one active member, one affiliate member and three associate members. DETAILS

Manhattan, Kansas Home to New NBAF

The Department of Homeland Security recently announced they have unanimously selected Manhattan, Kansas, home of Kansas State University, for the new location of their National Bio-Agro Defense Facility (NBAF). Manhattan, Kansas, is the western-most anchor of the KC Animal Health Corridor, the world's largest concentration of animal health industry assets. DETAILS

William Milburn Passes Away

William Milburn, owner and CEO of Milburn Distributors, passed away on December 14, 2008. Milburn Distributors was the world’s largest equine veterinary distributor company before its sale to Webster Veterinary products. DETAILS

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

Florida Health Care Clinic Establishment Permit Update

The Florida Department of Health sent a letter to distributors clarifying the issuance of the new Health Care Clinic Establishment permit on December 24, 2008. The department will begin issuing these permits on January 1, 2009. This letter was posted on the AVDA list-serv last week and provides additional guidance to distributors doing business with veterinary practices. DETAILS

NAW NEWS

Distributor Success Stories: Profiting Despite the Difficult Economy

The 2009 NAW Executive Summit focuses on the most important issue facing you in the coming year: the economy. Unlike some other conferences, however, we won’t waste your valuable time telling you what you already know—that "the economy is challenging.” Instead, we’ll tell you what other wholesaler-distributors are doing—right now—to succeed despite difficult economic conditions. DETAILS

New Book from NAW: Outlook 2009 - An Executive's Companion to Facing the Forces of Change

Outlook 2009 will provide the greatest value when read in conjunction with the Facing the Forces of Change® report. Click here to order both books together and SAVE!

Pembroke Consulting President and NAW Institute for Distribution Excellence Fellow Adam J. Fein, Ph.D., has assembled a power-packed group of authors who use the Facing the Forces of Change® report as a starting point for analyzing the year ahead. They provide their own assessments and predictions, along with specific action steps and recommendations, to help your company succeed in 2009 and beyond. DETAILS