Get Your Kicks At STAFDA's Route 66 Opening Party at the Square PHX
The essence of the American road trip — Route 66 — runs right through Arizona and is the heart of the Specialty Tools and Fasteners Distributors Association’s 49th Annual Convention and Trade Show, November 9-11. Clear skies, fresh air, and the open road make for a fantastic evening with friends to kick off STAFDA’s Route 66 Opening Party, at The Square PHX (Heritage Square), Sunday, November 9, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
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Time to make a stop at a classic diner, grab a burger and a soda, and listen to some great tunes. STAFDA’s Route 66 Opening Party has it all and more. A variety of food trucks will be dishing up everything from tacos and quesadillas to BBQ to fry bread and Navajo burritos. It’s a culinary road trip that makes stops at all your favorite places. Check out the custom cars, grab a beverage from a Beer Burro, and definitely get the STAFDA Special from the Ice Cream Bar.
Kick it with SB Band as they play a mix of current and country favorites along with Southern and classic rock, and variety from artists like Keith Urban, Garth Brooks, George Strait, Jason Aldean, Shooter Jennings, Chris Stapleton, Johnny Cash, and Tom Petty. SB Band is also well-known for their way of blending in their own unique versions of Top-40 songs like “Ice-Ice Baby” by Vanilla Ice, “Fireball” by Pitbull, as well as songs from Metallica, Pink Floyd, and Justin Timberlake.
Great energy and great fun! So crank up the tunes and sing along. And don’t worry, there’s no road construction on this trip.
Gather with fellow attendees again, Monday, November 10, for a STAFDA Reception at the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown’s Phoenix Ballroom, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Meet up for a quick beverage and appetizers before the manufacturer hospitality events begin.
Phoenix General Session Takes You On a Ride Down the Nile River
What’s your origin story? One of the fascinating things about STAFDA members is they all have a unique history and lessons to share as a result. Join STAFDA President, Dale Hahs II, AIS Industrial & Construction Supply, Denver, CO, on Monday, November 10, as he tells his company story and shares industry updates and news during his Distributor State-of-the-Industry Address at the General Session. The Association will also take time to recognize and thank the Board and Liaison Committee members for their dedication and insight as they’ve served STAFDA.
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| Pasquale Scaturro |
Then it’s time for a Nile adventure! STAFDA is excited to welcome geophysicist and adventurer Pasquale Scaturro as the General Session keynote speaker. Part Bear Grylls, part Indiana Jones, Scaturro will take attendees down the full length of the Nile. His historic 114-day, 3,260-mile Nile First Descent Expedition, the first complete descent of the Blue Nile from its source high in the mountains of Ethiopia down the full length of the Nile River to its mouth at the Mediterranean Sea, will be the focus of his General Session presentation.
Scaturro is one of the most successful and accomplished mountain and river expedition leaders in the world, exploring the far reaches of the planet for more than 35 years. His exploits have taken him throughout North and South America, Africa, and the former Soviet Union.
Scaturro, a bush pilot in Namibia, currently manages a wildlife conservation preserve there as well as continuing his geophysical oil and gas exploration and development projects in many of the most remote, dangerous, and politically and technically challenging places in the world. He has filmed rafting and mountaineering projects for ESPN, PBS, Discovery Channel, and National Geographic Channel. His inspiring presentation will be followed by a Q&A session moderated by STAFDA President Dale Hahs II.
All STAFDA Convention and Trade Show events and activities are included in the registration fee. Your badge is your ticket to everything. Find more Phoenix Convention and Trade Show details on stafda.org under the Conventions tab (click on the Phoenix Details button). Please click on the Join button for membership applications.
For more information on these programs and STAFDA membership, please contact Catherine Usher, member services director, at (800) 352-2981 or email cusher@stafda.org.
This article originally appeared in the August/September 2025 issue of Contractor Supply magazine. Copyright, 2025 Direct Business Media
CONTRACTOR SUPPLY MAGAZINE
The August/September 2025 issue of Contractor Supply magazine is here!
Our cover story, Forged in Friendship and Fasteners, Under the leadership of Terry Albrecht, Packer Fastener is built on people, not jut nuts and bolts in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
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Also in this issue are Industry Updates on Corded Electric Tools; Generators and Power Stations; and Saw Blades and Cutting Tools.
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