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Program Details

YFP Book Club
Wednesday, June 11 / 4:00 - 5:00 PM
Executive Boardroom

We are excited to announce YFP's first in-person book club meeting! This event is in conjunction with the Annual Meeting in Charlotte, NC. If you are not attending the Annual Meeting, but would like to come for the YFP Book Club, click here to register for free. You can also register to attend the Welcome Reception on Wednesday evening for an additional fee.

The book we're currently reading is Atomic Habits by James Clear. A comprehensive and practical guide on how to create good habits, break bad ones, and get 1 percent better every day. Read more about the book here. We hope you'll join us for a great discussion!

Already registered? Click here for additional details.

Welcome Reception
Wednesday, June 11 / 5:30 - 7:30 PM
Carolina & Mecklenburg Foyer

Join us Wednesday evening for the Welcome Reception. There will be plenty of food, drink, and time to visit with industry friends, so no need for separate dinner reservations.

After the reception, you’ll have time get out and explore Uptown Charlotte or maybe catch up with friends in the one of the hotels bars.

Executive Sales Planning Sessions® (ESPS)
Thursday, June 12 / 8:30 - 11:30 AM and 3:00 - 6:00 PM
Friday, June 13 / 8:00 - 11:00 AM
Carolina C-E

ESPS appointments will again be held in a ballroom, instead of private suites. This will allow for up to eighteen 30-minute appointments without having to travel from room to room on different floors of a hotel. Visit the ESPS web page for detailed information.

Fastener Professional of the Year Award
Thursday, June 12 / 12:00 PM
Carolina A

NFDA is proud to announce Mark Shannon as the 2025 Fastener Professional of the Year!

A dedicated NFDA member since 2000, Mark served as President from 2008 to 2009 and has played a vital role in various industry boards, advisory councils, and international supply chain initiatives over the years.

Join us in Charlotte as we honor Mark during the Thursday lunch program, where he will accept this well-deserved recognition.

The Fastener Professional of the Year award was created by NFDA to honor individuals and companies that make a substantial positive impact on people’s lives. The award recognizes:

  • Individuals from a fastener distributor or supplier company who make exceptional contributions to their companies and to the industry
  • Partners or consultants who demonstrate exemplary support of the fastener industry

Dr. Chris Thornberg, Beacon Economics
Thursday, June 12 / 1:00 - 2:30 PM
Carolina A

Dr. Christopher Thornberg has been called many things throughout his career, but his favorite thing to be called is correct. Dr. Thornberg holds a Ph.D. in Business Economics from the Anderson School at UCLA, where he later taught in the MBA program and served as a senior economist with the Anderson Forecast. 

As a thought-leader and dynamic public speaker, Dr. Thornberg speaks in front of tens of thousands of people every year, urging audiences to ask the right economic questions before accepting pervasive social and political narratives.

Christopher Thornberg, Founding Partner of Beacon Economics, is a renowned economist with deep expertise in economic and revenue forecasting, regional economics, economic policy, and labor and real estate markets. Dr. Thornberg has consulted globally for private industry, cities, counties, and public agencies.