ERA LIVE

ERA LIVE sessions take place frequently throughout the year and feature electronics industry experts and peers who will present a variety of hot topics.

These sessions will be 1 hour in duration and facilitated by ERA staff.

Anyone in the electronics industry is welcome to attend. There is no registration required.

Missed an ERA Live session? Not to worry! Scroll down to the bottom of this page to access the ERA Live video and audio library recording links to listen to past sessions.


The next ERA LIVE will be…

DATE: Tuesday, July 22
TOPIC: Mid-Year Economic Update

TIME: 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. ET

PRESENTERS:

Moderator — Walter Tobin, CEO
Presenters — Dennis Reed, Senior Analyst, Edgewater Research

Virtual Meeting Information

Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 854 7006 3965
Passcode: 077638

Do you have suggestions for topics or speakers for an ERA LIVE?

Please email your ideas to Clare Kluck, ERA Communications Director, at ckluck@era.org.

ERA LIVE Audio and Video Library

Miss the last call? Watch or listen to past ERA LIVE sessions:

Tuesday, June 10

View Video Recording 

TOPIC: Updates in the World of AI and SearchLink.ai

Sam Richter, the creator of Intel Engine and ERA’s powerful AI tool, SearchLink.ai, provides a valuable overview of: – The latest updates in the world of AI – New features and enhancements within SearchLink.ai Whether you’re a longtime user or just getting started, this is a great opportunity to deepen your understanding of the tool and ask questions directly to the creator.


Tuesday, May 13

View Video Recording

TOPIC: The Role Development of Regional Managers

Members of the Outpace Rep Group present their findings from their 2024 survey of the role development of regional sales managers.

Read white paper

Manufacturers’ reps strongly value their supplier relationships and work hand in hand with their principal partners. Strong working relationships with their regional sales managers is key to success. This discussion centers on: Understanding of the primary responsibilities of regional managers from a cross-section of ERA manufacturer members; understand the key performance indicators (KPIs) used by various organizations to measure the success of their regional managers; how compensation structure impacts performance of regional managers; and discuss expectations regarding customer relationship ownership and the significance of technical knowledge for regional managers.


Tuesday, April 22

View Video Recording

TOPIC: New Tariff Policies & the Electronics Components Industry

Moderator — Walter Tobin, CEO Presenters — Dave Foster, Vice President, Global Marketing and Americas’ Sales, Ohmite Manufacturing; John Orso, Vice President, Operations, Ohmite Manufacturing

Discussion centers around the evolving impact of new tariff policies on the electronics components industry. We’ll delve into: Current tariff landscapes: Understanding the latest policies and their direct effects Affect on the supply chain disruptions; how tariffs aim to reshape sourcing and manufacturing The impact on component costs and market stability How are some of us in the industry navigating these challenges?

 


Tuesday, October 8

View Video Recording

View Presentation File

TOPIC: Level up your Digital Marketing

Improve and modernize your digital marketing toolbox!  In this session, new ERA Recognized Resources provider, G&G Creative Services founders Emma Gaedeke and Danielle Gaglioti review modernizing your firm’s website, creating a multi-channel strategy, measuring digital marketing ROI, digital ads and more.


September 3, 2024

View Video Recording

TOPIC: New AI Tools & Updates

In this session, Sam Richter gives updates on new AI tools for our business and how to customize them to our industry’s needs. These updates will include new ERA GPT features, custom GPTs and more!


August 20, 2024

View Video Recording

TOPIC: electronica 2024 Preview

Are you attending electronica 2024, or hope to in the future? This session features a panel of industry veterans who discuss tips and tricks to attending electronica 2024. The panel discusses what to expect for first-timers, how to prepare, navigating the convention hall and traveling to Munich, networking and doing business with EMEA partners, and overall best tips and tricks.


July 26, 2024

View Video Recording

TOPIC: Mid-Year Date Update: The ERA/Edgewater Electronics Components Industry Trends Survey

Dennis Reed gives a mid-year update on the ERA/Edgewater Electronics Components Industry Trends survey results.


June 18, 2024

View Video Recording

TOPIC: The Kids are Alright: Hiring, Training and Retaining Zillenials

Mark Wachtel, president, SJ Associates, and his team of Zillenial employees, give an abridged version of this popular 2024 ERA Conference breakout session. Hear Mark and his team’s unique approach to hiring, training and retaining this generation that now makes up 50 percent of the workforce.


May 15, 2024

View Video Recording

TOPIC: Updated Rep-Mfr Agreement 

In this session, Adam Glazer, Esq., and Adam Maxwell, Esq., SFBBG attorneys and ERA Legal Counsel, give an overview of the new, suggested rep agreement that will be introduced soon on ERA.org for ERA members. Reps, learn the nuances of the new updated rep agreement template and how to advocate for issues that are important to you. Manufacturers, learn the issues that reps are concerned about today. It is a two-way communication and negotiation!


April 15, 2024

View Video Recording

TOPIC: Debuting SearchLink 2.0 — Introducing ERA GPT

This session features Sam Richter, creator of Intel Engine and the ERA SearchLink.ai tool, debuting SearchLink 2.0, the same ERA SearchLink.ai but with new features — including ERA GPT! Richter also gives a review of SearchLink.ai as a whole and how best to customize it to your company’s needs. There is an audience Q&A.


December 12, 2023

View Video Recording

TOPIC: ERA Electronic Components Industry Trends Survey Update

Presentation Slides 

Guest speaker Dennis Reed provides an overall summary of the critical data that’s been collected to-date from the ERA Electronic Components Industry Trends Survey. This monthly survey, launched in June 2023, focuses on valuable industry intelligence such as sales and booking trends, revenue growth trends, pricing outlook, book-to-bill ratios, end markets, inventory, lead times and more! Dennis compares and contrasts the ERA members’ survey results with what he is seeing in his research with Edgewater. Trends are summarized from the latter half of 2023, and an outlook for early 2024 is provided.


December 5, 2023

View Video Recording

TOPIC: 2024 White Pin Internship Program: What You Need to Know

Many manufacturers’ rep firms are interested in an internship, but don’t know where to start. With challenges ranging from multi-generational to the influx of digital marketing and sales, finding a realistic step-by-step approach or someone with the time to do it, is a daunting task.

Learn more about the program in general, the application process, tips on searching for and working with universities to find potential intern candidates, using ERA’s training guidelines, establishing a hiring process, and more.

Gain the confidence to take the next step with a summer intern!


November 28, 2023

View Video Recording

TOPIC: A Look at Our Industry Through the Eyes of Academia: What are University Students Being Taught?

How do we get a glimpse into the academic world to help current university students learn more about our industry? Special guest speaker, Alex Gabbi, Lecturer in the Marketing Department at The University of Texas at Austin, McCombs School of Business, leads a  lively discussion about the challenges of finding, recruiting, onboarding and retaining young college graduates. Alex is a former electronics distribution executive who gives us unique insight and bridges the electronics components distribution world with the world of academia.

There is also a discussion about what current students are thinking about and being taught as it relates to core technologies (AI) and how this can be used in marketing.


September 12, 2023

View Video Recording

Topic: ERA 2.0: What’s New at ERA?

ERA staff members discuss what’s NEW at ERA in the past year — from HoverMap and DTAM information to new surveys, a new Rep Directory, newly rebranded STEP and ERA LIVE, ERA SearchLink.ai and more!


July 11, 2023

View Video Recording

Topic: Digital Marketing for Manufacturers’ Reps

This ERA LIVE session focused on digital marketing for manufacturers’ reps — developing an effective brand, common challenges, developing a marketing strategy, leveraging new technology and more!

This discussion is based on the new white paper published by the Outpace Rep Group entitled “Powering Up Your Brand: Strategies for Successful Marketing & Branding in the Electronics Industry.”



July 6, 2023

View Video Recording

Topic: ERA SearchLink.ai

Guest speaker Sam Richter demonstrates how to use the new ERA SearchLink.ai tool and give tips and tricks on how best to customize it to your needs.




June 20, 2023

View Video Recording

View Presentation PDF

Topic: 2023 Mid-Market Forecast

Guest speaker Dennis Reed, Senior Research Analyst at Edgewater Research, gives a mid-year market review.

Tuesday, April 22

View Video Recording

TOPIC: New Tariff Policies & the Electronics Components Industry

Moderator — Walter Tobin, CEO Presenters — Dave Foster, Vice President, Global Marketing and Americas’ Sales, Ohmite Manufacturing; John Orso, Vice President, Operations, Ohmite Manufacturing

Discussion centers around the evolving impact of new tariff policies on the electronics components industry. We’ll delve into: Current tariff landscapes: Understanding the latest policies and their direct effects Affect on the supply chain disruptions; how tariffs aim to reshape sourcing and manufacturing The impact on component costs and market stability How are some of us in the industry navigating these challenges?

 


Tuesday, October 8

View Video Recording

View Presentation File

TOPIC: Level up your Digital Marketing

Improve and modernize your digital marketing toolbox!  In this session, new ERA Recognized Resources provider, G&G Creative Services founders Emma Gaedeke and Danielle Gaglioti review modernizing your firm’s website, creating a multi-channel strategy, measuring digital marketing ROI, digital ads and more.


September 3, 2024

View Video Recording

TOPIC: New AI Tools & Updates

In this session, Sam Richter gives updates on new AI tools for our business and how to customize them to our industry’s needs. These updates will include new ERA GPT features, custom GPTs and more!


August 20, 2024

View Video Recording

TOPIC: electronica 2024 Preview

Are you attending electronica 2024, or hope to in the future? This session features a panel of industry veterans who discuss tips and tricks to attending electronica 2024. The panel discusses what to expect for first-timers, how to prepare, navigating the convention hall and traveling to Munich, networking and doing business with EMEA partners, and overall best tips and tricks.


July 26, 2024

View Video Recording

TOPIC: Mid-Year Date Update: The ERA/Edgewater Electronics Components Industry Trends Survey

Dennis Reed gives a mid-year update on the ERA/Edgewater Electronics Components Industry Trends survey results.


June 18, 2024

View Video Recording

TOPIC: The Kids are Alright: Hiring, Training and Retaining Zillenials

Mark Wachtel, president, SJ Associates, and his team of Zillenial employees, give an abridged version of this popular 2024 ERA Conference breakout session. Hear Mark and his team’s unique approach to hiring, training and retaining this generation that now makes up 50 percent of the workforce.


May 15, 2024

View Video Recording

TOPIC: Updated Rep-Mfr Agreement 

In this session, Adam Glazer, Esq., and Adam Maxwell, Esq., SFBBG attorneys and ERA Legal Counsel, give an overview of the new, suggested rep agreement that will be introduced soon on ERA.org for ERA members. Reps, learn the nuances of the new updated rep agreement template and how to advocate for issues that are important to you. Manufacturers, learn the issues that reps are concerned about today. It is a two-way communication and negotiation!


April 15, 2024

View Video Recording

TOPIC: Debuting SearchLink 2.0 — Introducing ERA GPT

This session features Sam Richter, creator of Intel Engine and the ERA SearchLink.ai tool, debuting SearchLink 2.0, the same ERA SearchLink.ai but with new features — including ERA GPT! Richter also gives a review of SearchLink.ai as a whole and how best to customize it to your company’s needs. There is an audience Q&A.


December 12, 2023

View Video Recording

TOPIC: ERA Electronic Components Industry Trends Survey Update

Presentation Slides 

Guest speaker Dennis Reed provides an overall summary of the critical data that’s been collected to-date from the ERA Electronic Components Industry Trends Survey. This monthly survey, launched in June 2023, focuses on valuable industry intelligence such as sales and booking trends, revenue growth trends, pricing outlook, book-to-bill ratios, end markets, inventory, lead times and more! Dennis compares and contrasts the ERA members’ survey results with what he is seeing in his research with Edgewater. Trends are summarized from the latter half of 2023, and an outlook for early 2024 is provided.


December 5, 2023

View Video Recording

TOPIC: 2024 White Pin Internship Program: What You Need to Know

Many manufacturers’ rep firms are interested in an internship, but don’t know where to start. With challenges ranging from multi-generational to the influx of digital marketing and sales, finding a realistic step-by-step approach or someone with the time to do it, is a daunting task.

Learn more about the program in general, the application process, tips on searching for and working with universities to find potential intern candidates, using ERA’s training guidelines, establishing a hiring process, and more.

Gain the confidence to take the next step with a summer intern!


November 28, 2023

View Video Recording

TOPIC: A Look at Our Industry Through the Eyes of Academia: What are University Students Being Taught?

How do we get a glimpse into the academic world to help current university students learn more about our industry? Special guest speaker, Alex Gabbi, Lecturer in the Marketing Department at The University of Texas at Austin, McCombs School of Business, leads a  lively discussion about the challenges of finding, recruiting, onboarding and retaining young college graduates. Alex is a former electronics distribution executive who gives us unique insight and bridges the electronics components distribution world with the world of academia.

There is also a discussion about what current students are thinking about and being taught as it relates to core technologies (AI) and how this can be used in marketing.


September 12, 2023

View Video Recording

Topic: ERA 2.0: What’s New at ERA?

ERA staff members discuss what’s NEW at ERA in the past year — from HoverMap and DTAM information to new surveys, a new Rep Directory, newly rebranded STEP and ERA LIVE, ERA SearchLink.ai and more!


July 11, 2023

View Video Recording

Topic: Digital Marketing for Manufacturers’ Reps

This ERA LIVE session focused on digital marketing for manufacturers’ reps — developing an effective brand, common challenges, developing a marketing strategy, leveraging new technology and more!

This discussion is based on the new white paper published by the Outpace Rep Group entitled “Powering Up Your Brand: Strategies for Successful Marketing & Branding in the Electronics Industry.”



July 6, 2023

View Video Recording

Topic: ERA SearchLink.ai

Guest speaker Sam Richter demonstrates how to use the new ERA SearchLink.ai tool and give tips and tricks on how best to customize it to your needs.



June 20, 2023

View Video Recording

View Presentation PDF

Topic: 2023 Mid-Market Forecast

Guest speaker Dennis Reed, Senior Research Analyst at Edgewater Research, gives a mid-year market review.

Tuesday, April 22

View Video Recording

TOPIC: New Tariff Policies & the Electronics Components Industry

Moderator — Walter Tobin, CEO Presenters — Dave Foster, Vice President, Global Marketing and Americas’ Sales, Ohmite Manufacturing; John Orso, Vice President, Operations, Ohmite Manufacturing

Discussion centers around the evolving impact of new tariff policies on the electronics components industry. We’ll delve into: Current tariff landscapes: Understanding the latest policies and their direct effects Affect on the supply chain disruptions; how tariffs aim to reshape sourcing and manufacturing The impact on component costs and market stability How are some of us in the industry navigating these challenges?

 


Tuesday, October 8

View Video Recording

View Presentation File

TOPIC: Level up your Digital Marketing

Improve and modernize your digital marketing toolbox!  In this session, new ERA Recognized Resources provider, G&G Creative Services founders Emma Gaedeke and Danielle Gaglioti review modernizing your firm’s website, creating a multi-channel strategy, measuring digital marketing ROI, digital ads and more.


September 3, 2024

View Video Recording

TOPIC: New AI Tools & Updates

In this session, Sam Richter gives updates on new AI tools for our business and how to customize them to our industry’s needs. These updates will include new ERA GPT features, custom GPTs and more!


August 20, 2024

View Video Recording

TOPIC: electronica 2024 Preview

Are you attending electronica 2024, or hope to in the future? This session features a panel of industry veterans who discuss tips and tricks to attending electronica 2024. The panel discusses what to expect for first-timers, how to prepare, navigating the convention hall and traveling to Munich, networking and doing business with EMEA partners, and overall best tips and tricks.


July 26, 2024

View Video Recording

TOPIC: Mid-Year Date Update: The ERA/Edgewater Electronics Components Industry Trends Survey

Dennis Reed gives a mid-year update on the ERA/Edgewater Electronics Components Industry Trends survey results.


June 18, 2024

View Video Recording

TOPIC: The Kids are Alright: Hiring, Training and Retaining Zillenials

Mark Wachtel, president, SJ Associates, and his team of Zillenial employees, give an abridged version of this popular 2024 ERA Conference breakout session. Hear Mark and his team’s unique approach to hiring, training and retaining this generation that now makes up 50 percent of the workforce.


May 15, 2024

View Video Recording

TOPIC: Updated Rep-Mfr Agreement 

In this session, Adam Glazer, Esq., and Adam Maxwell, Esq., SFBBG attorneys and ERA Legal Counsel, give an overview of the new, suggested rep agreement that will be introduced soon on ERA.org for ERA members. Reps, learn the nuances of the new updated rep agreement template and how to advocate for issues that are important to you. Manufacturers, learn the issues that reps are concerned about today. It is a two-way communication and negotiation!


April 15, 2024

View Video Recording

TOPIC: Debuting SearchLink 2.0 — Introducing ERA GPT

This session features Sam Richter, creator of Intel Engine and the ERA SearchLink.ai tool, debuting SearchLink 2.0, the same ERA SearchLink.ai but with new features — including ERA GPT! Richter also gives a review of SearchLink.ai as a whole and how best to customize it to your company’s needs. There is an audience Q&A.


December 12, 2023

View Video Recording

TOPIC: ERA Electronic Components Industry Trends Survey Update

Presentation Slides 

Guest speaker Dennis Reed provides an overall summary of the critical data that’s been collected to-date from the ERA Electronic Components Industry Trends Survey. This monthly survey, launched in June 2023, focuses on valuable industry intelligence such as sales and booking trends, revenue growth trends, pricing outlook, book-to-bill ratios, end markets, inventory, lead times and more! Dennis compares and contrasts the ERA members’ survey results with what he is seeing in his research with Edgewater. Trends are summarized from the latter half of 2023, and an outlook for early 2024 is provided.


December 5, 2023

View Video Recording

TOPIC: 2024 White Pin Internship Program: What You Need to Know

Many manufacturers’ rep firms are interested in an internship, but don’t know where to start. With challenges ranging from multi-generational to the influx of digital marketing and sales, finding a realistic step-by-step approach or someone with the time to do it, is a daunting task.

Learn more about the program in general, the application process, tips on searching for and working with universities to find potential intern candidates, using ERA’s training guidelines, establishing a hiring process, and more.

Gain the confidence to take the next step with a summer intern!


November 28, 2023

View Video Recording

TOPIC: A Look at Our Industry Through the Eyes of Academia: What are University Students Being Taught?

How do we get a glimpse into the academic world to help current university students learn more about our industry? Special guest speaker, Alex Gabbi, Lecturer in the Marketing Department at The University of Texas at Austin, McCombs School of Business, leads a  lively discussion about the challenges of finding, recruiting, onboarding and retaining young college graduates. Alex is a former electronics distribution executive who gives us unique insight and bridges the electronics components distribution world with the world of academia.

There is also a discussion about what current students are thinking about and being taught as it relates to core technologies (AI) and how this can be used in marketing.


September 12, 2023

View Video Recording

Topic: ERA 2.0: What’s New at ERA?

ERA staff members discuss what’s NEW at ERA in the past year — from HoverMap and DTAM information to new surveys, a new Rep Directory, newly rebranded STEP and ERA LIVE, ERA SearchLink.ai and more!


July 11, 2023

View Video Recording

Topic: Digital Marketing for Manufacturers’ Reps

This ERA LIVE session focused on digital marketing for manufacturers’ reps — developing an effective brand, common challenges, developing a marketing strategy, leveraging new technology and more!

This discussion is based on the new white paper published by the Outpace Rep Group entitled “Powering Up Your Brand: Strategies for Successful Marketing & Branding in the Electronics Industry.”



July 6, 2023

View Video Recording

Topic: ERA SearchLink.ai

Guest speaker Sam Richter demonstrates how to use the new ERA SearchLink.ai tool and give tips and tricks on how best to customize it to your needs.



June 20, 2023

View Video Recording

View Presentation PDF

Topic: 2023 Mid-Market Forecast

Guest speaker Dennis Reed, Senior Research Analyst at Edgewater Research, gives a mid-year market review.