2023 ERA Conference Schedule

Note: Updates to the schedule will be ongoing. Please visit this page frequently for changes.

All functions take place at the AT&T Executive Conference Center in Austin, TX, unless otherwise stated. All times listed are Central Time.

12:00 – 6:00 p.m.Conference Registration / Attendee Badge Pickup5:00 – 6:30 p.m.Welcome Reception

7:00 – 7:50 a.m.Breakfast, First-Time Attendees Orientation & Workshops (listed below)
-Allyship and The Why for WE United – presented by Monica Highfill Vice President and Executive Director & Jackie Mattox, Founder, President, and CEO, Women in Electronics
-Two New Enhancements from Repfabric! Opportunity Product Registration & Goal Tracking – presented by John Mitchell, CPMR, President/Founder, Repfabric8:00 – 8:10 a.m.Conference Opening – Welcoming Remarks from Lori Bruno, CPMR, 2023 ERA Conference Chair8:10 – 9:15 a.m.Keynote Session – THRIVE: Turn Uncertainty to Your Competitive Advantage, presented by Meridith Elliott Powell – SPONSORED BY ARROW9:15 – 9:30 a.m.Break9:30 – 10:45 a.m.Breakout Sessions
– Building Next Generation Talent: The New Rules for Attracting, Developing and Retaining Top Employees
– Leadership is an Inside Job
– The Manufacturer-Distributor Perspective: Corporate Best Practices to Drive Partnerships
– Social Selling & Social Buying: What Is It & How Can You Make It Work for You?
– Two Sessions in One: Who Cares If You Are an Employee or Independent Contractor, and Other Key Contract Considerations10:45 – 11:00 a.m.Break11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.General Session – Navigating Through Economic Uncertainty, presented by Bernard Baumohl – SPONSORED BY BRAINARD-NIELSEN MARKETING12:00 – 12:45 p.m.Lunch12:45 – 1:30 p.m.ERA Update & Lifetime Achievement Award Presentation, presented by Walter Tobin, CEO, ERA1:30 – 1:45 p.m.Break1:45 – 3:00 p.m.Breakout Sessions
– How to Search LinkedIn Like a Pro! Introduction to a Cutting-Edge LinkedIn Search Tool Via ERA
– Information Technology: The Fast-Changing World of Data Sharing Under Ever-Changing Laws 
– Manufacturers’ Programs: How to Communicate & Implement Various Corporate Programs to Drive New Demand and Incremental Sales 
– Manufacturers’ Sales Reps Issues and Challenges: What Keeps Most Reps Up at Night?
– Transforming Your Brand Into a Trusted Resource

3:00 – 3:15 p.m.Break3:15 – 4:30 p.m.Breakout Sessions
– The Distribution Perspective: Best-In-Class Practices to Drive Local Relationships
– Let’s Talk About Trust: It’s Difficult to Define, It’s Hard to Get, It’s Easy to Lose
– The Mind of the Engineer: What Do They Really Want?
– Technology Tools: What’s Hot?
– A View from the Top: Ask Me Anything, with Walter Tobin 4:30 – 4:45 p.m.Break4:45 – 5:45 p.m.General Session – The 4 Disciplines of Execution, presented by Chris McChesney – SPONSORED BY CATALYST UNITY SOLUTIONS6:30 – 7:00 p.m.Buses depart AT&T Center for off-site conference party7:00 – 10:00 p.m.Conference Party, hosted off-site at Punch Bowl Social (registration required – sign up here)

7:00 – 7:50 a.m.Breakfast & Workshops (listed below)
-Budde Marketing POS Dashboard Forum: Best Practices and Updates for 2023 + DTAM review – presented by Jeff Bade, VP Business Development and IT, Budde Marketing Systems
-Maximize Your Results and Grow Your Business – presented by Richard Greaves, Senior Partner and Scott Mayo, Senior Partner, Empowering Systems8:00 – 8:10 a.m.Opening Remarks by Lori Bruno, CPMR, 2023 ERA Conference Chair8:10 – 9:20 a.m.General Session – The Future of Leadership (Hint: It’s Human!), presented by Cheryl Cran – SPONSORED BY MACINNIS COMPANY9:20 – 9:30 a.m.Break9:30 – 10:45 a.m.Breakout Sessions
– The Distribution Perspective: Best-In-Class Practices to Drive Local Relationships 
– How to Search LinkedIn Like a Pro! Introduction to a Cutting-Edge LinkedIn Search Tool Via ERA
– Information Technology: The Fast-Changing World of Data Sharing Under Ever-Changing Laws 
– Let’s Talk About Trust: It’s Difficult to Define, It’s Hard to Get, It’s Easy to Lose
– Social Selling & Social Buying: What Is It & How Can You Make It Work for You?10:45 – 11:00 a.m.Break11:00 – 11:45 a.m.ERA Awards Announcements11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.Lunch12:45 – 1:00 p.m.Break1:00 – 2:15 p.m.Breakout Sessions
– Leadership is an Inside Job
– The Manufacturer-Distributor Perspective: Corporate Best Practices to Drive Partnerships 
– The Mind of the Engineer: What Do They Really Want? 
– Transforming Your Brand Into a Trusted Resource
– A View from the Top: Ask Me Anything, with Walter Tobin 
2:15 – 2:30 p.m.Break2:30 – 3:45 p.m.Breakout Sessions
– Building Next Generation Talent: The New Rules for Attracting, Developing and Retaining Top Employees
– Manufacturers’ Programs: How to Communicate & Implement Various Corporate Programs to Drive New Demand and Incremental Sales
– Manufacturers’ Sales Reps Issues and Challenges: What Keeps Most Reps Up at Night?
– Technology Tools: What’s Hot?
– Two Sessions in One: Who Cares If You Are an Employee or Independent Contractor, and Other Key Contract Considerations

3:45 – 4:00 p.m.Break4:00 – 5:15 p.m.General Session – Technology Drivers for 2023 and Beyond, presented by Michael Knight – SPONSORED BY SCHAFFNER EMC5:15 p.m.Conference Adjourns