AD’s Gypsum Supply Division welcomes over 200 members and suppliers to second virtual meeting
Wayne, Pa. – AD’s Gypsum Supply Division hosted its second virtual event this year, from Oct. 8-10, welcoming over 200 members and suppliers to their 2020 fall meeting. With over 75 member companies and 43 supplier companies represented, the meeting saw strong participation across all sessions. The fall meeting was one of seven AD meetings that shifted to a virtual format this fall, all of which aimed to preserve the networking and relationship-building of its traditional in-person meetings.
Amid the ever-changing hardships of the pandemic, AD announced this year’s meeting theme is Let’s Grow, reflecting and sympathizing with the challenges everyone continues to face and pivoting toward the positivity of climbing new heights. With a focus on growth, Keith Hughes of Truist Securities, a corporate and investment banking company, joined the business meeting update. Hughes delivered an economic overview of the building materials industry and discussed what interior and exterior product trends he sees for the balance of 2020 and into 2021.
The meeting included a panel discussion with four Gypsum Supply divisional board members, where they provided input on relevant topics such as the challenges of COVID-19 on businesses, and how to structure future virtual meetings versus in-person meetings. This was followed by an AD update and divisional financial overview from Dan Maroni, AD’s president of the Building Materials Business Unit and Gypsum Supply Division.
The fall meeting also featured separate breakout sessions designed to highlight AD’s programs, which received a high level of participation, welcoming over 35 member attendees on average at each session, these sessions included:
- An electronic data interchange update and opportunity session hosted by Dan Koch, AD VP of Information Technology, and Ken Bartholomew, AD business system manager, where members gained information about the current EDI process, which allows business documents to be exchanged in an electronic format between business partners, and the new AD e-invoicing program.
- Financial update and discussion session with AD’s Chief Financial Officer Drew Moyer, where he shared information on financial flexibility and liquidity, adapting to remote workplace environments, and investment market dynamics.
- HR and procurement service provider session hosted by Neil Cohen, AD’s senior VP of Human Resources and David Hons, director of AD Procurement Services, designed to provide an overview of the HR and procurement services programs and their benefits to members.
AD Gypsum Supply Division Board Chairman Clay Geary, Owner/Manager of Interior Exterior Building Supply, LP shared that the virtual meeting provided helpful insights into the AD community’s performance that inform member business decisions.
“While we all wish our meeting could have been in person, the presentations at the virtual fall meeting were all informative and insightful,” Geary said. “The data presented should be useful in helping our members successfully run their individual businesses.”
Reflecting on the virtual meeting, Maroni commented that member participation and engagement enabled the success of the meeting, which received positive feedback from attendees.
“We appreciate all of our members and suppliers taking the time to join us virtually,” Maroni said. “We are pleased to have received such positive responses regarding the event and support for the AD membership. Like many other groups we had to shift to virtual meetings, but we hope to get together for in-person meetings very soon.”