The year 2008 will be an exciting one, as the approaching election year offers the promise of positive opportunities and growth for our country. The upcoming year will be exciting for NEMRA as well, as we hold our 38th Annual Conference in our nation's capitol, Washington, DC.

Of Special Note: We're pleased to announce that Tony Snow, former press secretary for President George W. Bush, will be our keynote speaker during our Conference's General Session on Friday, February 15, 2008. In addition to his tenure as presidential press secretary, Snow worked for President George H.W. Bush as chief speechwriter and deputy assistant of media affairs. Snow also served as a broadcaster and newspaper columnist.

In addition to a dynamic keynote presentation, the 38th Annual NEMRA Conference will feature a full complement of informational, training and educational sessions for NEMRA members and manufacturers, including:

• The unlimited potential for independent representatives in the marketing of "green" products
• Tax tips for electrical manufacturers' representatives
• Line profitability analysis
• Tracking trends in the electrical industry
• The NMG Forum - which will provide an update on the NEMRA/NMG-sponsored Eliminating Wasteful Activities in the Representatives and Manufacturer Sales & Marketing Channel
• Group briefing meetings and One-on-One conferences between manufacturers and independent electrical representatives
• Meetings of NEMRA local chapters and networking groups

And, finally, all attendees will be invited to attend a special gala dinner event on the evening of Friday, February 15th with NEMRA President Henry Bergson, as he marks his pending retirement as the association's chief executive at the end of 2008.

We hope you'll join us for this outstanding event! We look forward to seeing you in Washington, DC.

Stephen J. Gallagher, CPMR NEMRA Chairman

Henry P. Bergson NEMRA President