Fall 2021 – Chapter News

Chapter News reports the local activities of the 22 chapters of ERA. The chapters sponsor educational and training workshops, local trade shows, legislative and industry projects to enhance the professionalism of individual members and to advance the goals and mission of the national association.

CAROLINAS
As part of its virtual event series, Carolina ERA recently hosted a lunch meeting on the topic of “Cyber Security: Simple Safeguards, Seven Days a Week,” presented by Penny Langdon, Carolina sales and distribution manager at AEM Group, and Carolinas ERA Chapter president.

Chapter leaders also planned an in-person Board of Directors meeting in Greenville, South Carolina.

FLORIDA-SUNSHINE
Florida Sunshine ERA was excited to host its Second Annual Golf Tournament in October at Celebration Golf Club in Celebration, Florida. The event, which was open to reps, manufacturers, distributors, customers, friends and family, helps raise money for local 501(c) charities in Florida.

INDIANA/KENTUCKY
The 2021 Indiana/Kentucky ERA Chapter Industry Golf Outing was held in August at the Golf Club of Indiana. The chapter is pleased to report record attendance with 18 foursomes — 80 people including volunteers that bring it all together, like ERA rep company member D-M Associates, pictured below, enjoying the day.

MINNESOTA
Minnesota ERA continued its virtual breakfast series through the summer, hosting an event on Aug. 19. This event featured a presentation from Digi-Key leaders Dave Doherty, president and COO, Paul Dosser, vice president business development, and David Stein, vice president, global supplier management. The chapter will resume virtual breakfast events in the fall.

From front right: Dave Norris, Adam Anderson, Ken Bellero and Walter Tobin

NEW ENGLAND
New England ERA hosted its inaugural golf tournament in October, having to reschedule it from its original date in August due to inclement weather. The event took place at the challenging course at Four Oaks Country Club in Dracut, Massachusetts. This was a great opportunity to get back together, see old friends and network. The event was open to reps, distributors, manufacturers, family and friends. With over 90 people teeing off, and over 100 people in attendance at the dinner, the event was a success. The chapter is thankful to the many event sponsors and players for taking part in the event.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
Northern California ERA canceled its first in-person event in over a year due to safety concerns regarding the most recent surge of Covid-19. Chapter members remain hopeful to re-schedule the event by the end of the year.

The chapter has been working on two virtual events open to all ERA members. The first event, held on Sept. 28, featured a presentation, “Maximizing Rep/Distributor Collaboration in An Evolving Market,” and an OEM discussion, led by Mike Despotes, an accomplished technology sales executive whose career has spanned four decades and recently retired as Sales Director at Avnet, The second virtual event will be held in November.

The also chapter recently launched a brand new redesigned website

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Southern California ERA continues to hold monthly virtual breakfast meetings. Members have exchanged ideas on how to work with the current supply problems.

The chapter also is continuing to hold regular meetings. The next meeting will be held in person and feature a chapter panel discussion focusing on the subject of current challenges facing member rep firms.

The chapter will host its annual charity golf tournament at the Black Gold Golf Club in Yorba Linda California in November. For more details about chapter events, visit erascal.org.

SPIRIT OF ST. LOUIS
The Spirit of St. Louis ERA recently held a lunch meeting featuring discussions on the chapter’s annual golf tournament to be hosted at the famous Forest Park Gold Course. Joining the meeting via Zoom was ERA Membership Services Coordinator Ama Derringer. Derringer walked members through the ERA website. The chapter also is planning its Chapter’s Electronics, Engineering and Manufacturing Trade Show, scheduled for April 2022. This show was rescheduled twice due to Covid-19.