The Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA) wrapped another successful Industry Summit, held October 23–25 at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa. With the theme “Spurring Connections,” this year’s Industry Summit convened nearly 450 distributors and manufacturers from across the power transmission/motion control (PT/MC) industry to exchange ideas, strengthen partnerships and drive the industry forward.
Over three days, attendees engaged in sessions, collaborative discussions and peer networking designed to fuel growth and innovation across the channel.
Timely Insights and Forward-Thinking Sessions
From the opening keynote to the closing, education sessions reflected the fast-changing realities of business and technology:
- Winning with AI: In the opening keynote, former Amazon executive Trent Gillespie challenged leaders to see artificial intelligence (AI) not as another tool, but as a new operating system for business. He urged PT/MC companies to “invent their own future” by empowering employees to experiment, learn and use AI to transform operations, customer engagement and innovation.
- AI in Action: In a PT/MC-focused panel moderated by Brooks Hamilton, leaders from ABB Motors and Mechanical Inc., The Timken Company, Bearing Service Inc. and Apex Industrial Automation LLC shared real-world case studies showing how AI is driving measurable gains, from productivity and predictive analytics to engineering efficiency. The message: AI success depends on experimentation, data readiness and empowering people—not replacing them.
- Size of the Market: Tom Gale of MDM Analytics previewed findings from PTDA’s updated 2025 Size of the Market Report, revealing a $104 billion North American PT/MC market and underscoring the enduring strength of distribution as the channel of choice. Attendees learned how to apply the data to identify white-space opportunities and benchmark their performance.
- Channel Check: A candid panel discussion moderated by PTDA EVP/CEO Ann Arnott explored findings from Voices from the Channel: Insights to Improve Partnerships. Distributor leaders from Bartlett Bearing Company Inc. and Kurz Industrial Solutions joined manufacturer leaders from Nexen Group Inc. and SKF USA to discuss how transparency, clear roles and consistent communication build trust and drive stronger joint growth.
- Economic Outlook: Sean Metcalfe of Oxford Economics delivered a data-rich look at global and North American industrial trends, highlighting ongoing tariff impacts, regional slowdowns and how investment in AI and high-tech manufacturing may sustain growth even as the industrial sector faces near-term headwinds.
Networking That Spurs Connection
The Industry Summit also delivered unmatched opportunities to build relationships. PTDA’s hallmark Manufacturer-Distributor Idea Exchange, or MD-IDEX, provided dedicated time for channel partners—both current and prospective—to facilitate meaningful one-on-one conversations. General receptions and those exclusively for women in the industry and first time attendees plus hospitality events and casual meetups throughout the resort provided the space for new introductions and renewed partnerships.
“The networking opportunities allow us to interact and get in front of key decision makers or have discussions with potential partners to help move our business agenda forward,” shared Craig Bobbie, President, PTM Industries Inc.
PTDA looks forward to continuing this momentum at the 2026 Industry Summit, taking place October 28–30, 2026, at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colo. Registration will open in June 2026.
