Your GAWDA Connection | December 15, 2018
This newsletter is brought to you by:
CryoVation’s New MasterSense Moisture testing system.
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FEATURED NEWS
Hot Off the Press ‒ The New Issue of  Welding & Gases Today!

Watch the mail this week for your copy of the Fall 2018 issue of  Welding & Gases Today .

GAWDA’s quarterly magazine presents the latest industry news, consultant advice, quarterly GAWDA Economic Analysis by ITR Economics and other important association information. 

This special sales and marketing edition features multiple strategies for improving your bottom line. The member profile is the  Red Ball Oxygen Company , a regional powerhouse and home of GAWDA First Vice President  Bob Ewing . This issue also recaps the 2018 GAWDA Annual Convention, “GAWDA in the Great Northwest,” with information on speakers, events and more. 
It’s Not Too Late to Provide Input for the 2019 Forecast!
As you know, the First Quarter issue features member input on expectations for the upcoming year. It’s a great opportunity to share news about your company with the GAWDA membership. Here are the questions we have for you this year:
  1. What do you expect in the coming year at your company? Are you celebrating an anniversary, opening a new branch, opening a new line of business or transitioning to new ownership?
  2. Where do you see the industry going in 2019?
  3. Do you see any new markets on the horizon for GAWDA members?
NEWS FROM GAWDA
GAWDA Seeks Member Input to Refine Economic Report
GAWDA continues to refine the economic forecasting report in our quarterly magazine. As you know, ITR Economics provides an economic report in each of our quarterly issues of Welding & Gases Today. This report has been running for about two years now. The first year started with 4 pages of basic key indicators and an Executive Summary. During the second year, more indicators were added, which more than doubled the size of the report. 

In addition to the quarterly reports, ITR offers a free annual webinar that talks about the data and the methodology for applying that data to your business. If you missed the last webinar, don’t worry, you can access it by visiting the members-only site, selecting the ITR folder and downloading the GAWDA webinar recording. For a shortcut directly to the last webinar, click here.

Over the coming year, we’re hoping to get member feedback on how we could make the report more practical and easier to understand. The goal is for our members to be able to use this information as a tool when making future business plans. Like any tool, it’s only as good as the value you get out of it. With that in mind, we’re going to ask our members for some very specific feedback. Who in your company reads the report? What do you like about the report? What don’t you like about it? How could we make it easier to understand? How can we help make the connection between the data and your business? It’s our hope that with your feedback, this report will evolve into a practical tool for multiple levels of your organization. You can help with this evolution by gathering feedback from different members of your company and participating in the quarterly survey. Remember, your feedback counts.

— John Ospina
Renew Your GAWDA Membership Now to Save 10% 
The 2019 GAWDA Membership Renewals have now been distributed. Return your renewal by Dec. 31, 2018 and save 10 percent!

To renew by credit card or check, log in to your account at gawda.org. Note that the login process has been updated and members will need to reset their passwords. Click here for step-by-step instructions, including how to apply the 10 percent discount.

If you are paying by credit card, you will be able to fill in your payment information directly on the GAWDA site.

If you wish to pay by check, the system will generate a personalized membership renewal confirmation with your discount. You can then mail your payment to GAWDA. 

If you need assistance accessing your account, please contact Steve Hill at 954-367-7728, Ext. 220. Thank you for supporting GAWDA!
GAWDA EVENTS
2019 Spring
Management Conference
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Saturday, May 4 – Monday, May 6, 2019
Hyatt Regency Minneapolis
1300 Nicollet Mall
Minneapolis, MN 55403

For a tentative schedule of events, click  here.

For 2019 SMC hotel details, click  here.
2019 Annual Convention
Washington DC
Saturday, Sept. 28 – Tuesday, Oct.1, 2019
Marriott Marquis Washington DC
901 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20001

For 2019 AC hotel details, click  here.
2020 SPRING MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE
J.W. Marriott Austin
110 E 2nd Street
Austin, TX 78701
 
Sunday, Apr. 5 – Tuesday, Apr. 7, 2020
2020 ANNUAL CONVENTION
J.W. Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa
5350 E Marriott Drive
Phoenix, AZ 85054
 
Friday, Sept. 25 – Monday, Sept. 28, 2020
 
SAFETY AND COMPLIANCE
Unified Carrier Registration
If your company has one or more commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) that cross state lines, you are required to register and pay a fee based on the number of vehicles involved in interstate transit. This must be done on the Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) website at www.ucr.gov and is due by Jan. 1st each year.  
LINKS YOU’LL LIKE 
In our communications with members and research for the GAWDA publications, we often come upon links that are worth sharing. Check them out, and if you come across any links you like, please send them to [email protected].

GAWDA Online Buyer’s Guide Articles: Check here for the latest information and resources from GAWDA suppliers. For example, there’s an article on troubleshooting regulator issues for beverage or industrial gas dispenser systems, another on increasing productivity while cutting and a lot more! Be sure to check this link frequently as new articles are uploaded as they come in.

ITR GAWDA Webinar: A link to the FREE annual ITR webinar explaining how to use the GAWDA economic forecast to grow your business.
Our new Online Buyers Guide is live and suppliers have already started creating their listings. Click here for the latest product information.
MEMBER NEWS
  • DataOnline and Computers Unlimited Establish Partnership for the Industrial Gas Market
  • Weiler Abrasives Appoints New Abrasive Specialists
  • Tech Air Announces Acquisition of Scully Welding Supply and Propane Service
  • Airweld Sponsors Charitable Child Fitness Organization
NEW PRODUCTS
  • Saint-Gobain Abrasives Offering New Line of Norton Carbide Burrs