Conference Schedule

All times listed are in Central Standard Time. This schedule will be updated periodically. Be sure to check back for more information and for specific breakout session details. 

Download Conference Schedule (PDF)

Sunday, Feb. 25, 2024

12:00 – 6:00 p.m. Conference Registration / Attendee Badge Pickup — Zlotnik Ballroom Foyer

5:00 – 6:30 p.m. Opening Cocktail Reception — AT&T Center Main Courtyard

Monday, Feb. 26, 2024

7:00 – 7:50 a.m. Breakfast, First-Time Attendees Orientation & Workshops

– First-Time Attendees Orientation – Room 106, Level M1
– Workshop: Unlock the Potential of Your Business, presented by Empowering Systems – Room 103, Level M1
– Workshop: Diving into Data: Industry DTAM and Trends, presented by Budde Marketing Systems – Room 104, Level M1
– Workshop: Ask Ama Anything! Learn about ERA Membership Benefits, presented by ERA – Room 101, Level M1
– Workshop: ERA Electronics Industry Survey Results and Outlook, presented by Edgewater Research – Room 105, Level M1

8:00 – 8:10 a.m. Conference Opening – Welcoming Remarks, Adam Anderson, CPMR, 2024 ERA Conference Chair — Zlotnik Ballroom

8:10 – 9:15 a.m. Keynote Session – Build Trust and Connection to Create Influence Monday to Monday®, presented by Stacey Hanke – SPONSORED BY: ARROW — Zlotnik Ballroom

9:15 – 9:30 a.m. Break

9:30 – 10:45 a.m. Breakout Sessions

– Artificial Intelligence: Real-World Applications for Field Sales – Amphitheater 204, Level M2
– Rep 2.0: Future-Proofing Your Manufacturers’ Rep Business – Room 104, Level M1
– The Eye of the Beholder: How do Customers View Salespeople? – Room 203, Level M2
– The Kids Are Alright: The Art of Hiring, Training and Retaining Zillenials – Zlotnik Ballroom
– Unleashing the Power of Data: Best Strategies for Effective Data Sharing and Collaboration in Today’s Electronics Industry – Room 103, Level M1

10:45 – 11:00 a.m. Break

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. General Session – Future Economy: Growth Opportunities, presented by Andrew Busch – SPONSORED BY: BRAINARD-NIELSEN MARKETING — Zlotnik Ballroom

12:00 – 12:45 p.m. Lunch — Zlotnik Ballroom Lobby Area

12:45 – 1:30 p.m. ERA Update, Past Presidents Recognition & Lifetime Achievement Award Presentation, presented by Walter Tobin, CEO, ERA — Zlotnik Ballroom

1:30 – 1:45 p.m. Break

1:45 – 3:00 p.m. Breakout Sessions

– Engineers of Today vs. 5 years ago: Are They Getting What They Need from Us? — Amphitheater 204, Level M2
– How the Digitalization of Product Information Accelerates Customer Engagement – Room 104, Level M1
– More Than a Salesperson: Developing a Memorable, Trusted Personal Brand – Room 103 Level M1
– Strategies for Manufacturers’ Reps on Negotiating Better Contracts with Manufacturers — Room 105, Level M1
– Succession Planning: Passing Down Key Knowledge, Skills and Abilities – Why It’s Important & How It Works – Room 203, Level M2

3:00 – 3:15 p.m. Break

3:15 – 4:30 p.m. Breakout Sessions

– Reach More, Engage Deeper: Digital Tools That Can Amplify Your Tried-and-True Marketing Tactics – Amphitheater 204, Level M2
– Succession Planning: Passing Down Key Knowledge, Skills and Abilities – Why It’s Important & How It Works – Room 203, Level M2
– Technology Swap Shop: Efficiencies to Help Your Team & Your Customers – Room 103, Level M1
– The Evolution of Field Sales: Where Are We Headed? – Zlotnik Ballroom
– Understanding Cybersecurity Threats & How to Protect Your Company – Room 105, Level M1

4:30 – 4:45 p.m. Break

4:45 – 5:45 p.m. General Session – Selling Across the Generations, presented by Cam Marston – SPONSORED BY: SCHAFFNER EMC— Zlotnik Ballroom

6:40 – 7:00 p.m. Buses depart AT&T Center for off-site conference party — Level M2, behind Conference Center, Whitis Ave. entrance

7:00 – 10:00 p.m. Conference Party, hosted off-site at Punch Bowl Social (downtown location)

Tuesday, February 27, 2024

7:00 – 7:50 a.m. Breakfast & Workshops

– Workshop: CRM Solutions, presented by Repfabric – Room 103, Level M1
– Workshop: ERA Electronics Industry Survey Results & Outlook, presented by Edgewater Research – Room 105, Level M1
– Workshop: ERA NEXGEN Meeting (*Reps are invited to attend and observe) – Room 106, Level M1

8:00 – 8:10 a.m. Opening Remarks, Adam Anderson, CPMR, 2024 ERA Conference Chair

8:10 – 9:20 a.m. General Session – Creating Customer Confidence to Make the Sale, presented by Brent Adamson – SPONSORED BY: CATALYST UNITY SOLUTIONS — Zlotnik Ballroom

9:20 – 9:30 a.m. Break

9:30 – 10:45 a.m. Breakout Sessions

– Embrace It: Artificial Intelligence and Your Future – Zlotnik Ballroom
– Engineers of Today vs. 5 years ago: Are They Getting What They Need from Us? – Amphitheater 204, Level M2
– How the Digitalization of Product Information Accelerates Customer Engagement – Room 203, Level M2
– Reach More, Engage Deeper: Digital Tools That Can Amplify Your Tried-and-True Marketing Tactics – Room 103, Level M1
– Rep 2.0: Future-Proofing Your Manufacturers’ Rep Business – Room 104, Level M1

10:45 – 11:00 a.m. Break

11:00 – 11:30 a.m. ERA Awards Announcements — Zlotnik Ballroom

11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Lunch — Zlotnik Ballroom Lobby Area

12:30 – 12:45 p.m. Break

12:45 – 2:00 p.m. Breakout Sessions

– Artificial Intelligence: Real-World Applications for Field Sales – Room 104, Level M1
– The Evolution of Field Sales: Where Are We Headed? – Amphitheater 204, Level M2
– The Kids Are Alright: The Art of Hiring, Training and Retaining Zillenials – Zlotnik Ballroom
– Understanding Cybersecurity Threats & How to Protect Your Company – Room 203, Level M2
– Unleashing the Power of Data: Best Strategies for Effective Data Sharing and Collaboration in Today’s Electronics Industry – Room 103, Level M1

2:00 – 2:15 p.m. Break

2:15 – 3:30 p.m. Breakout Sessions

– Embrace It: Artificial Intelligence and Your Future – Zlotnik Ballroom
– More Than a Salesperson: Developing a Memorable, Trusted Personal Brand – Room 103, Level M1
– Strategies for Manufacturers’ Reps on Negotiating Better Contracts with Manufacturers – Room 105, Level M1
– Technology Swap Shop: Efficiencies to Help Your Team & Your Customers – Amphitheater 204, Level M2
– The Eye of the Beholder: How do Customers View Salespeople? – Room 104, Level M1

3:30 – 3:45 p.m. Break

3:45 – 5:00 p.m. General Session – The Future is NOW: Technology & Trends That Will Revolutionize, presented by Crystal Washington – SPONSORED BY: MACINNIS GROUP — Zlotnik Ballroom

5:00 p.m. Conference Adjourns