NEW ENGLAND CHAPTER HOSTS ANNUAL SUPPLIER APPRECIATION NIGHT
More than thirty years ago the New England Chapter of the then National Association of Metal Finishers (NAMF) conceived a plan to recognize the efforts and support of the Metal Finisher Supplier community by setting aside a special evening in their monthly meeting schedule as Supplier Appreciation Night.
At that time NAMF membership was strictly limited to Metal Finishing job shop owners and managers. Suppliers were not allowed membership, so this was indeed an extraordinary chapter event.
Many things have changed over the years. As the metal finishing community became smaller the need for strength in numbers became more apparent and Suppliers are now a significant part of the membership makeup of the New England Chapter, presently operating as a recognized chapter of the National Association for Surface Finishing (NENASF).
While many things changed, the founding principle of this event has remained constant throughout the years, the desire to recognize the support of Metal Finishers Suppliers to the success of the operation of Metal Finishing Job and Captive shops. To this end what started as a social dinner event with a neutral/ non-technical speaker, and then evolved with the addition of a mini trade show, has remained a main stay premier event on the New England Chapter calendar.
This year’s Supplier Appreciation Night was held on April 6th at the Holiday Inn in Marlborough, Massachusetts. It encompassed all of the founding principles of the original Suppliers Nights with speakers, supplier table top exhibits, door prizes, scholarship raffle prizes and the presentation of ten scholarships to college age children of employees of member companies presented by Chapter President Robert Messore. The attendants were also given an update by our National Board Member, Chris Capalbo, on national happenings, the benefits of NASF membership and the launching of our new website, nenasf.org, shortly before the first of the year. An extra added attraction this year was an address by a very special guest, Frank Altmayer, NASF Educational Director, who gave attendants an update on all the educational opportunities available through the NASF.
All one hundred plus attendees commented on the well orchestrated evening this event has been over the years and are already looking forward to next year’s Supplier Appreciation Night.
New England Chapter of NASF is an official chapter of