Conservationist, geophysicist and mountaineer Pasquale Scaturro will be the keynote speaker at the 2025 Specialty Tools & Fasteners Distributors Association convention.
Scaturro led the 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. He also has been an active high-altitude mountaineer and the leader of numerous expeditions to mountains worldwide - including three to Everest. In 2001, he led the National Federation of the Blind's Everest Expedition, accompanying blind climber Erik Weihenmayer to the summit.
A bush pilot in Namibia, Scaturro currently manages a wildlife conservation preserve there as well as geophysical oil and gas exploration and development projects in challenging places throughout the world. Scaturro has filmed rafting and mountaineering projects for ESPN, PBS, the Discovery Channel, and the National Geographic Channel.
Sunday workshops include:
- Self-Empowerment Cycle with Dirk Beveridge;
- Value Added Selling, Paul Reilly;
- How to be an Influencer, Mike Staver;
- Creating a Personal Brand Story, Steve Yastrow;
- and The Art of Storytelling, Don Yaeger.
Alex Chausovsky of the Bundy Group will give an economic update on Tuesday.
The 49th annual convention Sunday schedule includes Women in Distribution luncheon and NextGen luncheon + panel; and an opening reception on Sunday. The State-of-the-Industry address by STAFDA president Dale Hahs II will be Monday.
The November 9-11 event in Phoenix opens at noon Monday, followed by evening manufactures’ reception plus a general STAFDA reception. The show will also be open 9:30am to 2pm Tuesday. Registration opens June 23. Web: stafda.org
