The Business Technology Association (BTA) will hold its annual Fall Colors Retreat, hosted by BTA Southeast, Oct. 12-13, 2023, at the Omni Grove Park Inn in Asheville, North Carolina. Open to office technology dealers from across the country, the event will feature: a keynote address by Lee Rubin, former captain of the Penn State football team and a corporate HR professional; a diversification dealer panel with next-generation dealership leaders; an additional educational session presented by Andy Slawetsky of Industry Analysts Inc.; round-table discussions with exhibiting sponsors; time to network with peers and exhibitors during breaks; and cocktails and a sunset dinner at the Grove Park Inn's Seely Pavilion, which offers panoramic views of the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains.

The retreat will begin at noon on Thursday, Oct. 12, with lunch, followed by opening comments and the keynote address, "Five Components of Extraordinary Teams," presented by Rubin. In his keynote address, Rubin will discuss how individuals must make sacrifices to achieve their team's common goal; how open and honest communication is the foundation for trust; and how daily, focused discipline is the key to consistency.

After the keynote, a short break will be held, giving attendees time to network with peers and exhibiting sponsors. Round-table discussions will follow the break, giving attendees the opportunity to learn about the exhibitors' products and services in-depth. Another short break will follow the round tables.

After the break, six next-generation office technology leaders will participate in a panel discussion, "Diversifying for Success: The Next Generation's Path to a Thriving Future." Moderated by John Eckstrom, president of Carolina Business Equipment (CBE), a Novatech company, Columbia, South Carolina, the panel will look at the key strategies and innovations that will lead dealers to flourish in the ever-changing office technology landscape. The panelists: Lizzy Cathcart, Plus Inc., Greenville, South Carolina; Richie Creech, CopyPro Inc., Greenville, North Carolina; Harris Eckstrom, Carolina Business Equipment, a Novatech company; Austin Gregory, Advanced Business Solutions LLC, St. Augustine, Florida; Blake Renegar; Kelly Office Solutions, Winston-Salem, North Carolina; and Brice Renegar, Kelly Office Solutions.

The first day of the Fall Colors Retreat will wrap up from 6 to 9 p.m. with cocktails and dinner at the Seely Pavilion. During this time, attendees can network with their peers and enjoy breathtaking sunset views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

The second day of the event will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 13, with breakfast, followed by opening comments, exhibit time and the second set of exhibitor round-table discussions. The final educational session, "What's Happenin' in the Imaging Industry," will be held from 10:45 to 11:45 a.m. During this session, Slawetsky will review 2023 and look ahead to 2024. Topics covered will include OEM news, industry trends, supply-chain updates and more. The event will conclude with closing comments and exhibitor prize drawings from 11:45 a.m. until noon.

The Fall Colors Retreat exhibiting sponsors: ACDI, Brother (breaks sponsor), Cranel, Crexendo, ECI Software Solutions, eGoldFax, Epson, GreatAmerica, HP, IBPI, Intermedia, Kodak Alaris (breakfast sponsor), Konica Minolta, LEAF, NA Trading and Technology, SalesChain, Sharp (keynote sponsor), Source Technologies, Wells Fargo, Xerox (lunch sponsor) and Zultys.

BTA member dealers receive 2-for-1 registration to the Fall Colors Retreat. BTA member dealer registration is $199, which includes the Thursday and Friday educational sessions; Thursday lunch, cocktails and dinner; and Friday breakfast. An additional attendee from the same member dealership is $99. Non-member dealer registration is $249 per person.

To learn more about the Fall Colors Retreat, including full session descriptions, or to register, visit www.bta.org/BTAAsheville.