Chicago's Big Shoulders Carry Largest SPBT Meeting

Hey, SPBT -- you made an impact!

Each year, SPBT's Annual Conference continues to grow in size. At our May meeting in Chicago, more than 600 members and 500 industry partners and guests connected during our community's largest event of its kind.

SPBT would like to thank its members, sponsors, exhibitors, and Preferred Industry Partners for their help in making this event possible.

Here are some of the highlights.

View a list of the 2006 workshops.

Medical Device Trainer Honored

SPBT awarded its 2006 Outstanding Member of the Year Award to Kevin Glover, Director of Sales Training and Development at B. Braun Medical. After several years of contributing articles to FOCUS about his field -- the medical device industry -- Kevin decided to do something more.

Believing that there weren't enough resources available for the unique challenges faced by medical device trainers, Kevin took the initiative and created a working group. Using his tenacity and his contacts, Kevin pulled together a group of trainers with medical device expertise. The group is now creating a network for solving common problems and sharing best practices in this unique field. At the Annual Meeting, more than 70 medical device trainers came together to discuss some of their most pressing issues, such as reimbursement issues, regulatory expectations for trainers, and working with multiple sales forces.

Says Kevin of his award: 'I was stunned when my name was announced as the 2006 SPBT Outstanding Member of the Year. It was totally unexpected, and I deeply appreciate the honor. The fact that SPBT's board selected a medical device trainer for this year's award speaks volumes about the organization's commitment to embrace trainers from all companies that market products and services in the healthcare arena. Medical device trainers only make up about 5% of SPBT's membership. The fact that I was selected for this prestigious award demonstrates that the organization hears all member voices, large and small. Quite frankly, this award is more about SPBT's openness to new member ideas. It's about the organization's support of investigating and exploring these new ideas more than my individual effort. At SPBT, we all have a voice, and we are all empowered to make a difference. I think that this is a truly remarkable culture in any organization.'

Jim Fingar Remembered

This year, SPBT presented the Frank and Anne Walsh Award to the late Jim Fingar. The Frank and Anne Walsh Award was established as the Society's way to recognize an individual who has provided outstanding dedication and service. It is named for Frank Walsh -- one of the founders of SPBT -- and Frank's wife, Anne Walsh, who gave unselfishly to SPBT even though she wasn't officially a member of the organization. SPBT presents this award only occasionally, and only to certain special people who have made significant contributions to the society over the years.

Jim Fingar was widely respected and cherished by his family, friends, and colleagues. Jim spent 27 years at Berlex Labs, where he served in many different field sales and management roles. In 1998, he became Director of Corporate Sales Training and Development, where he exemplified the role that learning and development can play in driving organizational success. Through all his work at Berlex, Jim brightened the lives of his co-workers with his easy charm and friendly manner.

Additionally, Jim gave just as much to SPBT. A longtime member of the society, Jim began serving on the Advisory Board of FOCUS Magazine in 1999 and never stopped. He worked tirelessly to help any member of the society solve problems.