For the first time, Intuilize attended the NAHAD Annual Convention with a two-person team: Phil Samuels (VP of Sales & Marketing) and Nelson Valderrama (CEO). Hosted at Tampa's JW Marriott Water Street, the event created ideal conditions for meaningful connections among manufacturers, distributors, and service providers from across North America.
Tackling Distribution's Most Pressing Challenges
Two critical themes dominated conversations this year: tariff management and AI implementation. Both represent significant opportunities for midsize distributors to protect and enhance profitability.
At the Industry & Technology Roundtables, Nelson led discussions at the Tariffs Table, where concern about upcoming policy changes was palpable. Meanwhile, Phil facilitated the AI Table conversations, focusing on practical applications for distributors rather than theoretical possibilities.
These weren't abstract discussions—they directly addressed the urgent needs of midsize distributors: protecting margins, optimizing operations, and adapting to market volatility.
Expert Insights You Can Apply Today
AI as a Strategic Partner
Sam Richter's keynote "Creativity Unleashed: Generative AI and Your Future" challenged distributors to move beyond AI novelty toward practical integration that enhances business strategy. His Mindset S.H.I.F.T. framework (Streamline, Harness, Innovate, Focus, Thrive) reframed AI not as a replacement for human intelligence, but as a strategic partner.
This aligns perfectly with our approach at Intuilize—where AI precision combines with human expertise to transform pricing strategies and optimize profitability. The competitive edge lies not in having AI, but in knowing how to leverage it strategically within your distribution business.
Tariffs and Economic Outlook
Policy expert Jeff Bush delivered a clear assessment of what lies ahead: with Republicans controlling the presidency, House, and Senate, we can expect sweeping tariff policies, strategic deregulation, and potential tax reforms. For industrial distributors, this means planning for volatility in supply chains, pricing, and compliance.
Meanwhile, Lauren Saidel-Baker of ITR Economics forecasted steady growth for both U.S. GDP and industrial production through 2026, with several key trends affecting distributors:
- Shifting global trade dynamics with China losing economic traction while Mexico gains importance
- Inflation likely to intensify, driven by labor shortages and supply chain challenges
- Interest rates expected to remain high into 2025
- Continued labor market tightness as Boomers retire and immigration remains limited
These insights underscore what we've been emphasizing at Intuilize: data-driven pricing strategies, AI-powered forecasting, and strategic segmentation aren't just nice-to-haves—they're essential tools for distributor profitability in today's environment.
NAHAD's Value for Midsize Distributors
Unlike some industry events dominated by the largest players, NAHAD creates space for small and mid-sized distributors to be heard. The format includes:
- Two full days of pre-showcase meetings in private rooms
- Special programming for new members
- Focused conversations on both technical and strategic challenges
We also want to highlight Molly Mullins, Executive Vice President, whose leadership has made a tangible difference for NAHAD. Under her guidance, the event continues to evolve without losing the spirit that makes it special, with next year's convention planned for Indianapolis to increase accessibility for first-time attendees.
As Nelson observed: "There was a proactive energy throughout. People are worried about economic shifts, but they're not paralyzed. This industry is full of doers and problem-solvers who are strategizing and open to solutions they hadn't considered before."
Meeting You Where You Are
Our team met with dozens of professionals at NAHAD and found that the same questions we've been addressing in our recent resources are top of mind across the industry. For example, how to navigate tariffs in these volatile times or how distributors can use AI to improve their business.
This environment perfectly complements Intuilize's approach to distribution challenges—blending technological innovation with practical industry expertise to solve real-world profit challenges.
Moving Forward: Turning Challenges into Profitability
Tariffs, AI adoption, labor shortages, geopolitical volatility—these pressures are real for midsize distributors. But they also present opportunities for those with the right strategic approach.
The distributors poised to thrive won't be those with the largest resources, but those who strategically segment their approach to:
- Apply targeted pricing strategies based on product and customer value
- Leverage AI-powered insights while maintaining industry expertise
- Develop agile responses to tariff changes rather than blanket approaches
- Build inflation-resilient strategies before they become urgent
