2025 Mid-America Connection Conference Sessions
Board Meeting - Invite Only
12/08/2025 3:30 PM - 12/08/2025 5:00 PM
Summary
Open to board members only on Monday, December 8th. Details, agenda, etc. will be sent directly to you prior to the event.
Not Attending: Board Meeting - Invite Only
12/08/2025 3:30 PM - 12/08/2025 5:00 PM
Board Dinner - Invite Only
12/8/2025 5:30 PM - 12/8/2025 7:30 PM
Summary
Casual dinner on the night before the event. Invite for board members/partners only. Details to be shared as the event approaches.
Not Attending: Board Dinner - Invite Only
12/8/2025 5:30 PM - 12/8/2025 7:30 PM
Welcome Address & Inspiring Leaders Panel
12/09/2025 8:00 AM - 12/09/2025 9:00 AM
Speakers
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Brett ThorneHaving grown up in the LBM industry, Brett Thorne has spent more than two decades building a career dedicated to advancing the building materials community. Over the years, he has held numerous leadership roles within the Midwest Lumbermen’s Association (MLA) and BLD Connection. As MLA President, he helped guide the merger that formed BLD Connection. Creator and host of Building The Future Podcast, Brett spotlights the ideas shaping the industry’s next chapter. Today, Brett is working the other side of the LBM Counter as a real estate investor.
Summary
Join us for the Welcome Address to kick off the new Mid-America Connection Conference. After a quick 'welcome' and 'what to expect', stay seated for an engaging panel discussion. This panel, moderated by Brett Thorne, will feature inspiring leaders in the lumber and building materials industry. These professionals are shaping the future of the industry—introducing new ideas, embracing technology, and redefining workplace culture while honoring time-tested traditions. Panelists will share insights into the challenges and opportunities they face. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn the bold ideas these leaders are using in their businesses and real-world strategies that are driving the next era of growth in our industry. Coffee and continental breakfast items provided.
Not Attending: Welcome Address & Inspiring Leaders Panel
12/09/2025 8:00 AM - 12/09/2025 9:00 AM
Sales Seminar - Luck of the Draw: The Myth of Sales Success
12/09/2025 9:15 AM - 12/09/2025 11:15 AM
Speakers
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Zach ArendZach's journey from the rodeo arena to the boardroom is packed with grit, growth, and the kind of no BS leadership wisdom we all need more of. He’s spent the last 20 years helping entrepreneurs, executives, and sales pros "Saddle Their Own Horse" a modern leadership mindset built on clarity, confidence, and purpose. If you’re ready for fresh ideas, real connection, and the kind of energy that’ll fuel your next big move, you’re going to love Zach!
Summary
Top salespeople don’t just hustle—they learn how to think, adapt, and perform under pressure.
In this powerful and engaging session, Zach Arend helps sales professionals shift from simply grinding out deals to growing into true pros who own their mindset, conversations, and results. Drawing from his Saddle Your Own Horse™ playbook, Zach equips sales execs with practical tools to stay sharp, confident, and resilient in any sales environment.
• Coach Yourself to Win: Learn simple mental techniques to stay focused and keep moving forward—especially when deals stall or pressure’s high.
• Conversations That Connect: Deliver honest, impactful messages that move clients to action—without sounding scripted or salesy.
• Perform Through the Tough Stuff: Show up strong and centered even when rejection hits or the stakes feel huge.
Owner & Manager Roundtable - Tap Into the Power of Peer Insight
12/09/2025 9:15 AM - 12/09/2025 11:15 AM
Summary
Step away from the day-to-day and join fellow business owners and managers for a dynamic roundtable discussion designed to spark ideas, share solutions, and tackle challenges head-on. This is your chance to connect with peers who are navigating the same shifting landscape and are ready to trade real-world strategies that work. This session is open to dealers or suppliers, however, because space is limited, we will seat the dealers onsite FIRST.
Bring your questions, your experience, and your curiosity. It’s not a lecture—it’s a conversation that could change the way you do business.
Not Attending: Seminar or Roundtable
12/09/2025 9:15 AM - 12/09/2025 11:15 AM
Membership Lunch & Keynote Mitch Holthus
12/09/2025 11:30 AM - 12/09/2025 1:30 PM
Speakers
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Mitch Holthus - Power From Unexpected SourcesMitch Holthus is in his 29th season as the play-by-play Voice of the Kansas City Chiefs. A native of Smith Center, Kansas, Mitch has continued the work ethic he learned growing up on the farm in his career as a play-by-play sportscaster, entrepreneur and motivational speaker. Listeners throughout the Chiefs Kingdom join in with Holthus when he makes his signature call “Touchdown Kan – zzzz City”. Mitch also hosts the Hy-Vee “Chiefs Insider” television show and various Chiefs website programming and emcees many Chiefs functions throughout the year. As an entrepreneur, Mitch writes, produces, and sells the “Minute With Mitch” radio and television shows that air in-season throughout the Chiefs Kingdom. During basketball season, Mitch can be seen and heard doing play-by-play talent for Fox Sports and ESPN. Mitch has called Big 12, Big 10, SEC and Missouri Valley Conference games, as well as post-season NIT games. Mitch is well-respected as a motivational speaker. His inspirational messages are always tailored to fit the personality and needs of the group he is addressing.
Summary
After a morning of education and/or setting up tabletops, we invite all our conference attendees to join us at the Membership Luncheon starting at 11:30 am. Enjoy a nice meal and receive annual BLD Connection updates before listening to an inspiring keynote address - 'Power From Unexpected Sources' - from Mitch Holthus. Although lunch is included with your conference registration, advance registration for this session is required to help BLD staff with set-up requirements and food & beverage counts. Please indicate your intention to attend this session when registering. (Lunch is not available to sponsor reps joining the afternoon tabletop session only.)
Keynote Info:
Get ready for a captivating session that goes beyond the football field and into the heart of what makes a team thrive under pressure. Discover the “secret sauce” behind the Kansas City Chiefs’ historic 11-year run of success—breaking records, dominating one of the most competitive arenas in professional sports, and doing it all from the fifth smallest market in the NFL.
This high-impact presentation dives into the bold strategies and culture-building moves that have propelled the Chiefs to the top—lessons that apply to any business, organization, or leadership team. Whether you're a football fanatic or not, you’ll walk away with practical approaches that reveal the energy and power that comes from sources that are always available but rarely resourced.
Don't miss this motivating look at what it really takes to win—and keep winning—in any environment.
Not Attending: Membership Lunch & Keynote
12/09/2025 11:30 AM - 12/09/2025 1:30 PM
Vendor Tabletop Session
12/09/2025 1:30 PM - 12/09/2025 5:30 PM
Summary
Only 30 tabletop displays will be onsite to peruse, which will allow ample one-on-one time for dealer, contractor, and supplier visits from 1:30 pm – 5:30 pm. Located in the same room as the Welcome Address & Membership Luncheon, the sponsor tabletops will be set off to the side for quick and easy access all afternoon immediately following lunch. Enjoy a beverage from the bar and snack while you engage with each other and learn more about the vendor products and services throughout the afternoon. Dealers - track your visits to each sponsor on the provided game card for a chance to win the $500 grand prize announced at 5:25 pm!
Not Attending: Vendor Tabletop Session
12/09/2025 1:30 PM - 12/09/2025 5:30 PM
Evening Reception (Onsite at Hotel)
12/09/2025 5:30 PM - 12/09/2025 7:30 PM
Summary
Join BLD Connection for a fun evening of dinner, drinks and entertainment after all the business for the day has finished! With heavy hors d'oeurves, an open bar, and music, this is sure to be a great, relaxing way to end the day with new friends and business acquaintances. Advance registration is required. Please indicate your intention to attend this specific event when registering. (This event is not available to sponsor reps joining the afternoon tabletop session only.)
Not Attending: Evening Reception
12/09/2025 5:30 PM - 12/09/2025 7:30 PM
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