Nearly 800 members, suppliers and service provider partners attended the North American buying group Affiliated Distributors’ Electrical & Industrial Business Unit Spring Network Meeting in Houston on March 26-28.

AD’s Electrical & Industrial Business Unit in the U.S. and the Canadian united members across the electrical, industrial and safety, and bearings and power transmission divisions.

The meeting provided a platform for members and sponsors to connect, exchange insights and strategize for future growth. Executive Network Meetings, breakout sessions, roundtable discussions and strategic partner briefings facilitated networking and interactions across divisions, paving the way for collaborative advancements within the AD community, AD officials said in an April 8 news release.

Breakout sessions were led by professional speakers on industry-related topics including leadership succession, cybersecurity and the future of the supply chain.

The closing speaker Brian Beaulieu, CEO and Chief Economist of ITR Economics, spoke to attendees about how the state of the U.S. and Canadian economies are impacting independent distributors and provided macro-economic trends that assist executives with making important business decisions.

The event also recognized recipients of the 2023 AD Conversion Awards.

“We witnessed a high level of engagement and collaboration among attendees, showcasing a commitment to excellence and one another’s success in the industries we serve,” said Marisol Fernandez, President of the AD Electrical & Industrial Business Unit. “The power of the Independent spirit remains strong and will remain our focal point for the AD community moving forward.”