- > Announcing the 2026 ERA Conference Breakout Sessions & Speaker Lineup!
The 2026 ERA Conference Committee is thrilled to announce the 15 breakout sessions and speaker line-up for the national conference in February!
Conference breakout sessions are the attendee favorite and highlight of each year’s gathering, and this year will be no exception. Below is a list of the topics … - > ERA Quick Connections – January 2026, Vol. 1
January 2026, Vol. 1
MANUFACTURING DATA REPORTS
Manufacturing data reports from the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) are released at the beginning of every month and can be accessed at ISM. The latest report says economic activity in the manufacturing sector contracted in December for the 10th consecutive month.
However, the specific sectors of computer …
- > Announcing 2026 ERA Conference General Session Speakers James Taylor and Michael Knight
ERA PRESS RELEASE
December 18, 2025
Contact: Clare Kluck / Communications Director / ckluck@era.orgView/download PDF version of this press release
Announcing 2026 ERA Conference General Session Speakers James Taylor and Michael Knight
The 2026 ERA Conference Committee is pleased to announce that James Taylor and Michael Knight will present as general session speakers on the … - > Announcing 2026 ERA Conference General Session Speakers Jacob Shapiro and Eddie Smith
ERA PRESS RELEASE
December 4, 2025
Contact: Clare Kluck / Communications Director / ckluck@era.orgThe 2026 ERA Conference Committee is pleased to announce that Jacob Shapiro and Ed Smith will present as general session speakers at the annual ERA Conference on Feb. 22-24, 2026, in Austin, Texas.
Jacob Shapiro is a geopolitical analyst and …
- > ERA Quick Connections — December 2025, Vol. 1
December 2025, Vol. 1
MANUFACTURING DATA REPORTS
Manufacturing data reports from the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) are released at the beginning of every month and can be accessed at ISM. The latest report says economic activity in the manufacturing sector contracted in November for the ninth consecutive month.
The computer and electronic products sector …
- > ERA Quick Connections — Nov. 2025, Vol. 1
November 2025, Volume 1
MANUFACTURING DATA REPORTS
Manufacturing data reports from the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) are released at the beginning of every month and can be accessed at ISM. The latest report says economic activity in the manufacturing sector contracted in October for the eighth consecutive month.The electrical equipment, appliances & components …
- > ERA Announces Annelise McCarthy as Keynote Speaker for 2026 Conference
The Electronics Representatives Association (ERA) announces that Annelise McCarthy, international speaker and communications expert, will be the keynote speaker at the 2026 ERA Conference, taking place Feb. 22-24, 2026, in Austin, Texas.
McCarthy will open the ERA Conference on Monday morning, Feb. 22, with her presentation, “When Innovation Speaks: The Power of … - > Now Accepting Applications for 2026: ERA’s White Pin Internship Program
The ERA Mark Motsinger White Pin Internship Program is now accepting applications for 2026!
This internship program offers a manufacturers’ rep (who is an ERA member) a chance to hire a college student as an intern, with ERA and the White Pin group subsidizing a substantial portion of the anticipated internship cost.This is …
- > STEP 2025 Session Recordings Now Available for Purchase
If you happened to miss STEP 2025 or couldn’t attend, not to worry!
All nine sessions, covering everything from Speaking with Authority to The AI Advantage, are now archived, bundle and available to be purchased.
View the sessions and purchase here.ERA members, save $100 on this session bundle!
STEP sessions are packed with …
- > ERA Quick Connections — Sept. 2025, Vol. 2
September 2025, Vol. 2
MONTHLY POS REPORTS
July 2025 continued to show growth over the previous year, being over 7 percent when comparing July year over year. The industry continues to show a steady uptick in POS activity, with a 2.5 percent increase vs. last month. We believe that this trend will …
- > ERA Quick Connections — Sept. 2025, Vol. 1
September 2025, Volume 1
MANUFACTURING DATA REPORTS
Manufacturing data reports from the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) are released at the beginning of every month and can be accessed at ISM. The latest report says economic activity in the manufacturing sector contracted in August for the sixth consecutive month.
The electrical equipment, appliances & components … - > Sign up for COLT 2025 today!
Join ERA for its annual Chapter Officers Leadership Training (COLT) program on Nov. 11-13!
Open to all ERA chapter leaders and potential leaders, COLT is a virtual training series that is fun and collaborative, focused on effective chapter management and planning tactics.COLT is your opportunity to:
▪️ Connect with other chapter leaders
▪️ … - > ERA Announces New CEO Edward Smith
ERA PRESS RELEASE
September 1, 2025
Contact: Clare Kluck / Communications Director / ckluck@era.orgView/download PDF version of this release.
ERA Announces New CEO Edward Smith
The Electronics Representatives Association (ERA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Edward Smith as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective September 2, 2025. This appointment follows the retirement of Walter … - > Now Open: 2026 ERA Conference Registration & Sponsorships Open!
Registration and sponsorships are now open for the 2026 ERA Conference — Connected by Design: Where Relationships Meet Innovation!
ATTENDEE REGISTRATION
Registration and sponsorships are now open for the 2026 ERA Conference, scheduled for Feb. 22-24, 2026, and hosted at a new venue — the Hilton Austin!Register today to reserve your spot to attend the electronics industry’s do-not-miss …
- > ANNOUNCING: STEP 2025 Sessions, Speakers & Schedule!
With the 2025 ERA STEP program less than 10 weeks away, we’re thrilled to announce the fantastic training sessions we’re offering to attendees!
The nine virtual, live training sessions will be:
· Accelerating New Business Relationships
· The AI Advantage: Hands-On Strategies for Everyday Impact
· The Electronic Components Industry: Challenges and Opportunities Ahead
· …
- > ERA Announces 2026 Conference Theme
View/download PDF version of this press release.
ERA PRESS RELEASE
July 17, 2025
Contact: Clare Kluck / Communications Director / ckluck@era.orgThe Electronics Representatives Association (ERA) is excited to announce that the theme for the 2026 ERA Conference will be, “Connected by Design: Where Relationships Meet Innovation.”
The conference planning committee selected a theme that reflects …
- > ERA Quick Connections — June 2025, Vol. 2
June 2025, Volume 2
MONTHLY POS REPORTS
April 2025 was 13 percent better than April 2024, and better than any month in 2024. Signs of a recovery are starting to be seen as the year is progressing. Inventories have leveled off at distribution. However, the world is rather unstable due to military … - > Registration is Now Open for ERA STEP 2025!
You’re invited to register for STEP 2025, ERA’s annual virtual sales training program, scheduled for Oct. 7 – 9, 2025!
This virtual training program, crafted by a committee of industry members, offers frontline sales professionals nine 75-minute educational sessions, all presented LIVE, covering an array of topics. That’s over 11 total … - > ERA Quick Connections — June 2025, Vol. 1
June 2025, Volume 1
MANUFACTURING DATA REPORTS
Manufacturing data reports from the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) are released at the beginning of every month and can be accessed at ISM. The latest report says economic activity in the manufacturing sector contracted in May for the third month in a row, following a … - > ERA Announces 2026 ERA Conference Chair, Vice Chair & Committee Leaders
ERA PRESS RELEASE
May 27, 2025
Contact: Clare Kluck / Communications Director / ckluck@era.orgThe Electronics Representatives Association (ERA) is pleased to announce the appointment of the chair, vice chair and members of the 2026 Conference Committee responsible for planning the 2026 ERA Conference.
Perry Thornton, President, Pinnacle Marketing, will serve as Conference Committee Chair … - > ERA Announces the Retirement of CEO Walter Tobin
ERA PRESS RELEASE
May 16, 2025
Contact: Clare Kluck / Communications Director / ckluck@era.orgThe Electronics Representatives Association (ERA) announces that CEO Walter Tobin will retire from the association after 10 years.
“After a 10-year career as ERA CEO, with success that cannot be overstated, Walter Tobin has notified us of his intention to retire,” … - > ERA Quick Connections – May 2025, Vol. 1
May 2025, Volume 1
MANUFACTURING DATA REPORTS
Manufacturing data reports from the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) are released at the beginning of every month and can be accessed at ISM. The latest report says economic activity in the manufacturing sector contracted in April for the second month in a row, following a … - > READ: The Spring 2025 Representor Magazine!
You won’t want to miss the new Spring 2025 issue of The Representor, packed full of great content for the electronics industry.
If you would like to receive a print copy of The Representor in addition to the digital version, subscribe here.
In this issue, don’t miss:The cover story: “Strategic Alignment: It’s a Competitive Advantage,” by …
- > Lou Copley is Named Senior Vice President of Distribution on ERA’s Executive Committee
The Electronics Representatives Association (ERA) announces that Lou Copley, Vice President of Sales for the Americas, Avnet, has joined the ERA Executive Committee as the Senior Vice President of Distribution.
“The ERA Executive Committee is grateful for Gary Zullo’s generous service as vice president of distribution and congratulates him on his … - > ERA Quick Connections – April 2025, Vol. 2
April 2025, Volume 2
MONTHLY POS REPORTS
The month of February is always a lower POS month, and February 2025 followed that trend. However, when comparing it to Februarys of previous years, it was slightly better than the last two years. This February was about 4 percent better than last year — …
