The inaugural Distribution Summit (D15) will be held September 23-24, 2015, in Columbus, Ohio. AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology has also opened a call for speakers, which is open until April 17.

This is the first meeting hosted by AMT that will focus solely on distributors’ needs; however, builders and suppliers are encouraged to attend. With the tagline, “Where Distributors Connect,” there will be plenty of networking opportunities beginning with a reception on Sept. 23, open to all attendees. The following day will feature presentations by speakers focused on improving distributors’ business operations.

“Staying relevant in this accelerated digital age with both our customers and builders is the biggest challenge facing machine tool distributors today,” said Peter Addy, AMT Distribution Group Chairman and President of Addy Machinery Company Inc. “The 2015 Distribution Summit will mark our first solo event since the American Machine Tool Distributors Association merged with AMT in 2012. We are planning significant content and speakers that will help you raise your distributorship’s bar and help you stand out from the crowded field.”

Attendees will hear from an AMT member panel about how business challenges affect small, medium and large distributors differently.

AMT is accepting speaker proposals that will focus on these topics: sales strategy; hiring and skills development; the effects of the internet on your business; human resources; and the new age of distribution.

Speaker proposals or topic suggestions should be email to Steve Lesnewich, AMT Distribution Group Staff Liaison and Vice President – Global Services, at slesnewich@AMTonline.org.