AHTD April 2026 Newsletter

April 2026

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Hitting the High Notes at SM26 in Nashville!

AHTD's members proved that we are all

#BetterWithAHTD in Nashville at Spring Meeting. Thank you to everyone who helped make it such a great meeting!

Explore photos and video highlights that capture the energy, connections, and key moments.

We can't wait to see you at Fall Meeting 2026 in California. Mark your calendar to join us September 22-24.

Is Your LinkedIn Profile Working Hard Enough?

People often form their first impression before that first conversation. Before they meet you, they Google you. Before they call you, they find you on LinkedIn. In today's Marketing Minute, AHTD's Marketing Director, Mara Dickson, walks us all through two easy fixes to make sure our LinkedIn profiles are working hard enough. Many senior leaders still treat LinkedIn like an online resume, but after a little work, that won't be you. Read more here.

Benchmark Today to Plan for Tomorrow -

Due May 15

Participating in our Financial Benchmarking Survey gives AHTD ASPs valuable insights to confidently plan for the future. By contributing your data, you receive free access to confidential performance comparisons that highlight strengths, uncover opportunities, and support smarter planning, stronger financial management, and better strategic decisions. Survey information is due by May 15.

Learn more here.

Strengthen Your Organization’s Future

Invest in your rising talent and strengthen your leadership team. Through AHTD’s Future Leaders program, participants gain the tools, confidence, and community they need to lead with impact. Ready to develop your high‑potential employees into tomorrow’s most capable leaders?

The AHTD Intern Leadership Program equips interns with essential professional skills while giving employers a streamlined, high‑impact development experience. Through weekly online training from June to August, interns build capabilities in project management, presentation skills, team leadership, and workplace readiness topics. It's time to prepare your team. Register your interns today!

Join us for the Marketing Roundtable Summer Series, where marketing professionals come together to share real‑world challenges, proven strategies, and practical insights. Connect with peers, gain fresh perspectives, and leave each session with ideas you can put to work immediately to strengthen your marketing impact. Register today!

Congratulations Foundation Award Recipients!

View this video highlighting H.H. Barnum

View this video highlighting Lutze, Inc.

The AHTD Foundation Award Program recognizes companies that demonstrate a strong commitment to developing talent and strengthening the future of the high‑tech industry. We are proud to congratulate this year’s award recipients, H. H. Barnum and Lutze, Inc., for their continued dedication to education, leadership development, and industry advancement. Learn more about the program and all of our recipients here.

ITR April Report - Mild Growth Through 2026

The industrial sector and B2B spending continue to grow, with automation continuing to be a priority. Durable goods are showing strength, while nondurable segments like chemicals and food soften. Macroeconomic indicators continue to support mild growth through the end of 2026.

Read the full report here.

What's Up, Members?

As a member of AHTD, you’re tapped into a dynamic community of automation professionals. Check out some of these insights from our membership base.

CITEL Inc. to relocate its North American operations to Hillsborough.
iAutomation expands Festo offering in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast.
Wachendorff Automation follows a sustainable business strategy, taking into account packaging, product design, mobility, and energy efficiency.
Weidmuller USA introduces PROeco II Power Supplies with SNAP IN technology.
Wieland Electric launches selos New Generation Terminal Block line.

Have any company events or updates to share with fellow AHTD members in our "What's Up?" sections? Please send newsletter submissions to Heidi Wadzinski by the 2nd Friday of the month. Find guidelines and past newsletters here.

What's Up, Strategic Business Partners?

We're grateful for our Strategic Business Partners. These companies offer strategic products or services in the industrial automation distribution industry.

The Interlynx Systems Source Scorecard provides insight into lead sources.

Ready to strengthen your sales team with MRA’s proven training?

Reshape explains why general-purpose AI gets product questions wrong, and what to use instead.

The Beringer Group offers guidance for what to do before you return the call.

Connect and Grow With WIA - May 20

Join us May 20, for Learn, Adapt, Lead: Transforming Lessons into Lasting Growth, an engaging online meet‑up focused on resilience, confidence, and purposeful leadership. We’ll discuss practical tools to help us focus on what we can control, reframe mistakes, and lead with confidence and impact. Register today!

Continue the conversation and stay connected:

Show Your AHTD Pride!

We love seeing the AHTD logo proudly displayed on our members’ websites, representing our shared commitment and community. Thank you for showing your support! Want to feature AHTD on your site as well? Click here to download the logo artwork.

Find, Connect, and Collaborate with AHTD Members

The AHTD members‑only Membership Directory helps you discover new product lines, connect with key contacts, and find member companies by location or expertise. With powerful search tools and exportable results, it’s an easy way to get more value from your membership. Make sure your company profile is up to date so members can find you.