Embark on an exciting 3-day journey with the National Independent Flag Dealers Association (NIFDA) as we gather in the stunning coastal destination of Tampa Bay, Florida, from October 19-21, 2025.

This year’s convention takes place in Safety Harbor, a hidden gem of Pinellas County. Nestled along the shores of Tampa Bay, this charming town boasts a quaint, walkable downtown lined with brick streets, historic oak trees, and a welcoming community. Whether you're exploring unique boutiques, indulging in local seafood and Southern cuisine, or unwinding at the famous Safety Harbor Resort & Spa, this destination offers something for everyone.

Beyond Safety Harbor, the vibrant city of Tampa awaits! From waterfront dining and world-class attractions to championship sports and lively nightlife, Tampa Bay blends relaxation with adventure.

 
 

★ MEET OUR 2025 SPEAKERS ★

 

Steve McClatchy

Speaker, trainer, consultant, New York Times Bestselling author, and entrepreneur

  • Steve McClatchy is a keynote speaker and author of the award-winning New York Times Bestseller Decide: Work Smarter, Reduce Your Stress & Lead by Example. Decide has enjoyed global success and has been translated into 11 languages including Chinese, Russian, Japanese, and Spanish. In every speech Steve weaves insight, interaction, and actionable content with humor, inspiration, and motivation. 

    For over 20 years Steve has worked with the most prominent organizations in the world including Google, Under Armour, Disney, John Deere, Microsoft, NBC Universal, Accenture, HP, Merck, Wells Fargo, Campbell’s Soup, and many teams in the NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB. He speaks frequently at Harvard, Wharton, and Chicago Booth. He has appeared on CNBC, ABC, CBS, Fox News, WSJ TV, and NBC’s The Today Show and has been quoted in The Wall Street Journal, Fast Company, WebMD, Oprah Magazine, Entrepreneur, and Investor’s Business Daily.

    His new book Leading Relationships hit #2 on the USA Today National Bestseller List and is also a Publisher’s Weekly and Associated Press Bestseller!

    Steve’s passion is for continuous improvement and believes that when we stop growing, learning, gaining experience, and achieving goals we stop living. 

Evangelo "Vann" Morris

Motivational Speaker, U.S. Navy retired Surface Warfare Officer and Combat Veteran

  • Evangelo "Vann" Morris is a U.S. Navy retired Surface Warfare Officer and Afghanistan deployed Combat Veteran who has traveled to 45 countries and is on a mission to Heal America. His wife (Rita) and three sons are all proud U.S. Veterans.  In 2001, Vann and his team seized 14 tons of pure cocaine during a Colombian drug raid - the largest drug bust in U.S. maritime history. 

    Vann is a former nuclear powered ballistic missile Submariner, with an MBA from the Naval Postgraduate School, in Monterey, CA. and a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Technology from the University of Memphis. His last two tours of duty are the Pentagon in Washington D.C., and the United States Special Operations Command in Tampa, FL. Parallel with his military career, Vann has been public speaking for 20 years to honor all those who serve our great nation and to teach our children the value of Freedom.

Adam Garcia

Managing Director, New Path Construction

  • Adam Garcia is a dynamic business leader with a proven track record of driving growth, efficiency, and profitability across a diverse range of organizations. With nearly a decade of experience on Wall Street, Adam has honed his expertise in investment banking, private equity, corporate strategy, advisory, and C-suite leadership. He has successfully led international initiatives and executed middle-market mergers and acquisitions with a combined transaction value exceeding $2 billion. As a founder and current CEO of a nationally recognized real estate and construction firm, Adam steered the company to new heights, earning a spot on the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing private companies in the Midwest at #39. His strategic vision and hands-on leadership have been key to transforming businesses, from startups to established enterprises, enabling them to reach their highest potential.

Brad Kay

Managing Director, New Path Construction

  • Brad Kay is an experienced private equity and corporate development specialist with extensive expertise in M&A and public equity markets. He has a proven track record of sourcing proprietary investment opportunities, resulting in transactions valued at over $500 million in enterprise value. Throughout his career, Brad has held various corporate development roles, where he worked closely with leadership teams to drive growth by aligning strategic and operational goals. In these roles, he has successfully executed M&A deals with a combined transaction value of over $1 billion.

    Currently, Brad serves as the Director of Corporate Finance & Strategy at a nationally recognized real estate and construction firm, where he oversees financial controls, targets, and the implementation of strategies aimed at ensuring profitable, long-term growth.

 

★ SCHEDULED EVENTS ★

All scheduled events are within walking distance of The Safety Harbor Resort & Spa with the exception of the Awards Banquet at Zoo Tampa, for which we’ve arranged bus transportation. For things to do and places to eat in your free time, click here.

 

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 19 | 4:00 PM

Sunset Luau Welcome Reception

Hosted waterfront on the hotel’s picturesque promenade, this vibrant gathering offers stunning sunset views over Tampa Bay, an open bar, and a lively luau-inspired atmosphere. Enjoy tropical cocktails, themed celebrations, and the energy of a warm island welcome as you mingle with industry friends and new connections. Whether you’re catching up, making introductions, or simply soaking in the scenery, this is the perfect way to start the convention in style.

 

MONDAY, OCTOBER 20 | 7:30 AM

Hosted Breakfast

Start your day with a delicious breakfast buffet served in the elegant Four Springs Ballroom on both Monday and Tuesday morning. Enjoy a selection of classic breakfast favorites, freshly brewed coffee, and a welcoming atmosphere perfect for networking or easing into the day's events.

 

MONDAY, OCTOBER 20 | 8:30 AM

Opening Ceremony & Introductions

A beautiful opening ceremony complete with Color Guard, introductions from all members in attendance, and a quick presentation from the NIFDA Board of Directors. Bring your coffee (or tea, or water!) and kick off convention putting names to faces!

 

MONDAY, OCTOBER 20 | 9:30 AM

Opening Keynote: Old Glory

Vann Morris, a combat veteran turned inspirational speaker, is dedicated to his mission of "Healing America" through his empowering message of "Being the Best Version of Yourself." With a rich tapestry of personal experiences, Vann draws from the challenges he faced in childhood and his military service, sharing compelling stories that resonate deeply with audiences of all ages.

His speeches are crafted to provide valuable insights into personal and professional growth while emphasizing core American values and opportunities. Vann's unique storytelling approach invites audience participation, encouraging questions that foster engagement and connection. He highlights the importance of understanding and appreciating the unique freedoms and liberties that America provides.

From his beginnings as a sharecropper's son to his role as a patriot, Vann's unwavering dedication to service and deep sense of patriotism shine throughout his presentations. He inspires attendees to embrace their individual gifts and talents, motivating them to positively impact their communities and the nation. Vann takes audiences on a relatable journey, reinforcing the message that the American story is one of resilience and shared experiences. His speeches promise to leave a lasting impression and transform the mindset of all who attend.

 

MONDAY, OCTOBER 20 | 10:45 AM

Strategic Growth and Exit Planning: Preparing Your Business for the Next Chapter

Building a business with an exit strategy in mind isn't just for those looking to sell, but is a fundamental approach to accelerating business growth and enhancing value. Regardless of long-term plans, building a business around a powerful sales engine and meticulously documented processes creates the foundation for a scalable and attractive business. Learn the practical, effective strategies that ensures sustainable growth and a successful next chapter for your business.

 

MONDAY, OCTOBER 14 | 1:00 PM

Concurrent Workshops: Elevate your business through shared knowledge

Flagpole Installation & Service Best Practices: Join industry professionals for a high-level roundtable discussion on flagpole installation and service, facilitated by a NIFDA Board Member. This interactive session will cover best practices, essential equipment, troubleshooting techniques, and trade secrets from seasoned experts. Whether you're a veteran installer or looking to refine your process, this is your chance to exchange insights, ask questions, and walk away with actionable takeaways. Active participation encouraged!

Tech Talk – Maximizing POS, CRM & Business Platforms: Technology is evolving—are you using it to your advantage? In this peer-driven discussion, NIFDA members will share insights into their Point-of-Sale (POS) systems, Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tools, and business platforms—what works, what doesn’t, and how to optimize your tech stack. Whether you’re looking to refine your current systems or explore new options, this session will help you streamline operations and stay ahead of the curve. Bring your experiences, questions, and insights!

From Foundation to Future: Your Step-by-Step Guide to Building a Sellable Business: Building on the foundational concepts introduced in "Building a Business with an Exit Strategy in Mind," this breakout session dives deep into the how-to of constructing a business primed for a successful sale.

Are you ready to move beyond the theory and gain actionable steps to build a business that not only thrives but is also highly attractive to potential buyers? This interactive session will provide a clear, step-by-step roadmap to strategically develop your business with an eventual exit in mind – a process that inherently fuels growth and maximizes value, regardless of your immediate plans to sell.

 

MONDAY, OCTOBER 20 | 5:30 - 9:30 PM

Manufacturers Expo

Come network with flag industry leaders, manufacturers, and suppliers, explore exhibitor tables showcasing cutting-edge products and programs, and find special attendee pricing. Don't miss this unique opportunity to connect, learn, and elevate your business!

 

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21 | 7:30 AM

Annual Business Meeting

Join us for a time-honored tradition as the Board of Directors hosts the Annual Business Meeting onstage. While we like to joke about it being the most entertaining event, it's crucial for voting members (ALL Dealers and Manufacturers) to stay informed about the inner workings of NIFDA.

 

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21 | 8:30 AM

Industry Update

Hear from industry leaders with updates from NCTO, FMAA, and NIFDA’s very own Advocacy Committee.

Steve McClatchy – Keynote Speaker, Author, and President at Alleer Training & Consulting

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21 | 9:30 AM

Leading Relationships

If you are in business today, you are in the business of relationships. The skills of communicating effectively, working with diverse multi-generational teams, setting clear expectations, giving and receiving feedback, navigating differing opinions, resolving conflict, working remotely, and holding others accountable can be the most important skills you will ever develop as a leader. In this age of AI threatening the future of work these are things that AI will never be able to do for you.

In this presentation you will learn the keys to success in each of these areas and how to build relationships strong enough to handle the pressures and tensions inherent in building, leading and/or being a part of a dynamic, engaged, fast changing, high-performance, creative, collaborative team. 

This presentation is guaranteed to change the way you work, interact, solve problems, innovate, manage, and lead your business!

After attending this presentation leaders will be able to:

  • Use The 5 Levels of Maturity Framework to guide, coach, and mentor others to excellence and greater levels of performance. 

  • Resolve conflict when it happens so it doesn’t slow down the pace of business.

  • Give feedback more consistently and more effectively to increase engagement scores.

  • Hold others accountable in a way that doesn’t damage trust and builds loyalty.  

  • Lead change more effectively and increase business acumen.

  • Navigate differing opinions and keep focused on the business of serving your customer.

  • Better communicate, collaborate, innovate, and set expectations to improve teamwork.

  • Build a culture of high speed and high performance that will retain your top talent.  

 

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21 | 1:30 PM

Free Time / Early Zoo Transport

Enjoy some well-deserved free time to explore on your own, connect for private one-on-one discussions, or take advantage of our complimentary transportation to Zoo Tampa for an afternoon of adventure. If relaxation is more your speed, unwind at the Safety Harbor Spa, where you can indulge in rejuvenating treatments or simply soak in the tranquil atmosphere before the evening festivities.

Check out our list of Things To Do Around Tampa here.

The early bus to ZooTampa departs at 2:15 PM, while the second bus leaves at 4:00 PM, heading straight to the cocktail reception.

 

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21 | 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Wildly Wonderful Awards Banquet at ZooTampa

Join us for an unforgettable Annual Awards Banquet at ZooTampa, where we’re taking the celebration to the wild side! Kick off the evening with a Zoofari-themed cocktail reception, featuring an open bar, a special up-close animal encounter, and even the chance to feed giraffes. We’ll announce the Betsy Ross Award Winner and host the early bird raffle drawing. Everyone’s invited! Don’t miss this chance to celebrate in style—wild style!

 
 

Check out previous year highlights: