Members of the Electronic Components Industry Association (ECIA) will meet later this month for their annual Executive Conference, where 15 leaders from inside and outside the electronics supply chain will talk about key issues shaping today’s business world. Titled “Information + Application = Innovation, A Powerful Formula for Business Growth and Success,” the conference will take place October 28-30 at the InterContinental Chicago O’Hare.
Avnet’s Rick Hamada will deliver this year’s keynote address, “From Information to Innovation,” drawing on his 28 years of experience with the distributor of electronic components and technology solutions. Also on the agenda are Glenn Bassett, vice president, supply chain intelligence for industry research firm IHS; Gordon Hunter, president and CEO of global electronics manufacturer Littlefuse; and IBM’s Guy Blissett, author of the 2010 installment of the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors’ Facing the Forces of Change series, which examines trends and issues in distribution.
Other speakers will include Jim Forbes of Pricewaterhouse Coopers, Frank Lange of Menlo Worldwide Logistics, Kayak.com chairman Terry Jones, media expert Frank Cutitta, and Jon Dudas of the youth science organization FIRST—For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology. A panel discussion led by industry veteran Skip Streber of Skip Streber Consulting will feature experts from Digi-Key, Avnet Electronics Marketing, NXP Semiconductors, TE Connectivity, and Norris & Associates.
Session topics will include “near-shoring,” branding, industry outlooks, and what FIRST means to the electronics supply chain, all under the umbrella of “innovation.” Kayak.com’s Terry Jones will open the second day of the conference with his talk, “The Business of Innvoation.” ECIA president and CEO Robin Gray will give an association update on the final day of the conference.
In addition to the speakers, the two-day meeting will feature several awards presentations and networking events. The Electronics Choice Industry Awards—the ECIAs—recognize member companies for marketing excellence, and the Industry Service Awards honor individual achievement. In the latter group, the Gail S. Carter award is the association’s highest honor, recognizing an electronics industry leader for his or her contributions to the industry and active role in the association and civic affairs. Sager Electronics’ president Frank Flynn received the 2011 Gail S. Carter award. The association’s Distinguished Service Award recognizes those who have made significant contributions to ECIA based on their efforts to advance both the association and the industry. Mouser Electronics’ CEO Glenn Smith was last year’s Distinguished Service Award recipient
ECIA’s annual Executive Conference draws about 300 attendees each year, and conference planners expect a similar turnout at the 2012 event. Go to www.eciaonline.orgfor more information on this year’s event.
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Avnet’s Rick Hamada will be the keynote speaker at the 2012 ECIA Executive Conference, October 28-30 in Chicago.
ECIA Executive Conference Schedule
Sunday, October 28ed
5 to 7 p.m.: Conference registration
6 to 7 p.m.: Opening reception
Monday, October 29
7 a.m.: Conference registration
7:30 to 8 a.m.: Continental breakfast
8 to 8:15 a.m.: Opening remarks
8:15 to 9 a.m.: Keynote presentation: “From Information to Innovation,” Rick Hamada, Avnet Inc.
9 to 9:45 a.m.: “How Market and Supply Chain Intelligence Boosts Your Competitive Advantage,” Glenn Bassett, IHS
9:45 to 10:15 a.m.: Networking break
10:15 to 11 a.m.: “Near-Shoring: An Assessment of Mexico as an Alternative to Rising Production Costs in China,” Frank Lange, Menlo Worldwide Logistics
11 a.m. to noon: “Inspiring the Future: What FIRST Means to Our Industry,” Jon Dudas, FIRST
Noon to 1 p.m.: Luncheon
1 to 1:45 p.m.: “Global Branding Strategies in the New Age of Conversational Marketing,” Frank Cutitta, the Center for Global Branding
1:45 to 2:30 p.m.: ECIA Association Service Awards and Electronics Choice Industry Awards for Marketing
2:30 to 3 p.m.: Networking break
3 to 4 p.m.: “Design Registration Solutions Panel,” Skip Streber, Streber Consulting; Chris Beeson, Digi-Key; Paul Doherty, TE Connectivity; Alex Iuorio, Avnet Electronics Marketing; Mark Lunsford, NXP Semiconductors; and Dave Norris, Norris & Associates
4 to 4:45 p.m.: “Success is Measured in Decades,” Gordon Hunter, Littlefuse
4:45 to 5 p.m.: Closing remarks and announcements
6 to 7 p.m.: Reception
Tuesday, October 30
7:30 to 8 a.m.: Continental breakfast
8 to 9:30 a.m.: “The Business of Innovation,” Terry Jones, Kayak.com
9:30 to 10 a.m.: Networking break
10 to 10:45 a.m.: “Minerals and Metals Scarcity in Manufacturing: The Ticking Time Bomb,” Jim
Forbes, Pricewaterhouse Coopers
10:45 to 11:15 a.m.: ECIA Update, Robin Gray
11:15 a.m. to noon: “Facing the Forces of Change,” Guy Blissett, IBM
