Super Bowl Sunday begins the super bowl of industry conferences. NEMRA holds its Annual Conference next week with over 2000 people expected in Orlando. This is the industry’s largest single collection of individuals from the channel under one roof.

Did you know that NEMRA is the largest rep trade association in the country with 333 reps? Or that 227 manufacturers belong to NEMRA? Just some interesting tidbits.

NEMRA Conference Insights

In preparation for the conference:

• Block out Tuesday at 4:00pm. I’m presenting a session titled Future Proof – Shaping the Next Era of Reps & Manufacturers. The description is ambitious, “The rep–manufacturer relationship is evolving—and the changes ahead could redefine how business gets done. In this forward-looking session, David Gordon of Channel Marketing Group will share key findings from the MOTF & ROTF Study. Drawing from in-depth industry research, David will break down what these insights mean for your business and how you can adapt, innovate, and thrive in the years ahead.”  Much to accomplish in 50 minutes, inclusive of Q&A, so I’ll touch on high points and have an open schedule the next day to answer questions and am booking discussions for afterwards.

NEMRA members can also get the 2025 ROTF (Rep of the Future) and 2025 MOTF (Manufacturer of the Future) reports from NEMRA for free. It is available for purchase for others, and I can send an Executive Summary if you are interested. The slides will be available after the conference.

NEMRA now has these Resources available (free to members, $49.99 for others)

The $49.99 reports are available for free to anyone who attends my session on Tuesday.

• Chris Sokoll (DISC) and I got together with Jim Lucy from Electrical Wholesaling recently on his podcast. We talked AI, AI for reps, DISC’s new platform, the rep / manufacturer relationship, “working” the NEMRA conference and more. I encourage you to give it a listen and, if you are attending NEMRA, listen to it before you arrive in Orlando. The title is “How Reps Can Harness AI.”
• This year’s NEMRA conference is packed with more educational content than ever before … and more technology information. Both are critical. This is in response to membership input for value beyond their manufacturer meetings. The best way to attend … divide and conquer. Not everyone needs to be in every manufacturer meeting. If you don’t explore you cannot be better. And every topical session has a relationship to agency profitability.
  • Tech is critical and there will be many discussions about AI functionality. A prediction from my session … at least 50% of reps will be AI enabled within 3 years!
• Jim Johnson, president of NEMRA, shared a letter to the membership that was also posted on LinkedIn regarding the conference. Some key points are:

“As we prepare to gather for NEMRA26, I want to personally thank you for being part of this association and for making the time to engage in what has become the most important annual touchpoint for you and your organization.

NEMRA26 is intentionally designed around one core objective: meaningful connection that drives real business outcomes. From structured one-on-one meetings to targeted education and candid conversations, every element of this conference reflects what you’ve told us matters most—access, relevance, and impact.

This year’s program focuses on the realities shaping our industry today and tomorrow: evolving representation models, contractor dynamics, AI and innovation, and the partnerships required to remain competitive in a changing market. These are not abstract discussions—they are practical, timely, and grounded in the work you do every day.

I encourage you to approach NEMRA26 strategically — recognizing that each session is designed with relevance for you and your organization, while focusing on the meetings, education, and informal conversations that best align with your priorities and business objectives. The true value of NEMRA26 is created by the people in the room.

On behalf of the NEMRA Board of Directors and staff, thank you for your continued commitment to this association and to the future of our industry.

I look forward to seeing you in Orlando.”

As Jim said, I look forward to seeing the industry in Orlando and will share thoughts shortly thereafter.

And if you are attending, I still have some time available or text / call me when we’re in Orlando.