The EDS Leadership Summit is an annual event that convenes key decision-makers from the electronic components industry – including manufacturers, authorised distributors, and sales representatives – for a week of strategic business development and networking.
The 2025 edition is scheduled to take place from 19-23rd May at Resorts World in Las Vegas.
We caught up with Tom Griffin, Board President, EDS Leadership Summit to find out more about the event.
Can you give us a brief overview of the EDS Leadership Summit and its core mission?
The EDS Leadership Summit has a long-standing history, and I’ve personally been attending it for over 30 years. Its core objective today is to provide a platform for manufacturers to meet with their distributors and representatives. These meetings allow all parties to discuss performance, review business progress, and introduce new products coming to market.
The focus is on structured business discussions rather than selling. Manufacturers use the event to understand how well their products are being distributed and to align with partners on future plans. Representatives and distributors also have the opportunity to share their performance and feedback directly with the manufacturers.
Unlike a traditional trade show, EDS is not about standing at booths or trying to sell products. It is a business conference built around pre-scheduled, strategic meetings that foster collaboration and strengthen industry relationships.
It’s also a conference where the authorised channel comes together. That’s an important distinction in the electronic component industry.
One of the ongoing issues in our business is the risk of counterfeit parts. EDS brings together companies that are committed to the authorised channel. All the participants are dedicated to selling only authorised components, and to ensuring the integrity and safety of the supply chain.
By gathering these trusted partners in one place, the summit reinforces the importance of maintaining quality and authenticity in the industry. It serves as a reminder that everyone attending shares a commitment to upholding high standards and protecting customers from counterfeit risks.
How does the format of EDS – combining strategic meetings, networking, and leadership sessions – benefit attendees differently from a traditional trade show?
The EDS Leadership Summit is valuable from a strategic standpoint. It brings together all three key parties – manufacturers, distributors, and representatives – to discuss their business plans, growth strategies for the year ahead, and performance over the previous year. These conversations are essential for aligning goals and strengthening partnerships.
One of the greatest benefits of the event is the networking opportunity it offers. Executives from all sides of the industry attend, creating an environment where meaningful connections are made. For the rep community in particular, EDS serves as a critical venue for gaining insight into the strategic direction of both manufacturers and distributors. Likewise, distributors benefit by understanding the plans and priorities of their manufacturer and rep partners. This exchange of information and alignment is what gives the summit its value.
How has EDS evolved over the years, and how does it reflect current industry trends and challenges?
It used to be more of a trade show. Way back when, there was a large contingent of companies set up on a trade floor, waiting for people to come by so they could discuss products and negotiate special deals. That format was much more typical of a traditional trade event.
However, over the decades, the electronic component industry has experienced significant consolidation among distributors. There are far fewer of them now, and as a result, the event has evolved. It is no longer a trade show in the traditional sense.
Even 30 years ago, there were strategy meetings taking place at EDS, but at that time, a large part of the event still revolved around the trade show format. Today, the focus has shifted entirely toward scheduled business meetings and strategic discussions.
What trends or emerging topics do you think will be on this year’s agenda?
One of the major topics that always comes up at EDS is tariffs. That’s a big one, and yes, it’s something that all parties talk about. The discussions focus on how to manage the impact of tariffs on the business.
The topic of tariffs has been around for a long time, there was a significant uptick in 2016 which forced both distributors and manufacturers to respond accordingly.
One of the major challenges that came with tariffs was the issue of country of origin. Distributors and manufacturers had to determine exactly where components were produced. This became complex for manufacturers with multiple facilities around the world – some with as many as 20 plants – who then had to trace and report the precise origin of even the smallest parts.
Distributors also had to find ways to pass tariff costs on to customers, depending on whether the product was being sold directly by a manufacturer or through a distribution channel.
While tariffs represent one part of the conversation, other regular business matters are just as important.
These include how much inventory the distributor is holding on behalf of the manufacturer, and whether the manufacturer and distributor are receiving adequate support from representatives. The reps play a key role in helping drive initiatives, such as pushing one product line over another or introducing new products to the market. These operational and strategic details are a key focus during meetings at the summit.
2024 saw the venue change from the Mirage to Resorts World. Has this changeover been successful?
It is a very popular event. Last year, it was especially well-attended, but there were some unexpected logistical challenges. In December, the board was notified that we would not be able to hold the event at our previous hotel in May, as originally planned. At the time, I wasn’t the President, but I was on the board, and I can say it took an immense amount of work to sort everything out.
The previous venue, the Mirage, was very helpful during this process. They acknowledged the difficult position they had put us in and assisted in securing Resorts World as the new location. Their support was instrumental in making the transition possible.
The only ongoing issue about Resorts World is the timing. Traditionally, the event has been held the week after Mother’s Day, and attendees have grown used to that. However, Resorts World was only available the week before Memorial Day. We explored venues across the country in an attempt to stick to our usual schedule, but none were able to accommodate us.
