Everett Abrams
Member
To All,
It is very difficult to find a place to start in describing my view if this years convention in Columbus, Ohio so I'll try to work in time sequence. As an Executive Board we were supposed to come in and attend our scheduled meeting on Tuesday March 15th at 3pm. We all spoke and arrived early and were all in the hotel by Monday evening. We proceeded to get breakfast together at 8am and continued to "work" until our meeting at 3pm with our Executive Director Jack Pitzer. I am proud to serve with leaders who show this type of commitment. I really want to commend Doc Reisman, our Immediate Past President for his tenure, leadership, and direction that has gotten us to reach most all of our goals! We went through our financials as if the PWNA were our own businesses and we discussed our successes and our areas of opportunity from both a financial and performance basis. It was clear to everyone what our President, Paul Horsley, wants and that is a focus on specific items, not too many, finish those and ask for more. Pay attention to detail and complete tasks with a concentrated focus on Local Professional Chapters that are able to be attended by members and non-members. This was communicated throughout the convention. We met with Jack Pitzer and really had a productive meeting that when we were done set the tone for the rest of the convention. We then met as entire Board on Wednesday and were very productive and when we walked away we were one unit working together with one purpose and specific goals. It was great to be able to meet and work with such "team players." This unity and cohesiveness led to a great convention that had such enthusiasm and a climate that I have now witnessed for the first time at one of our shows. The work that committees had worked on throughout the year is really paying off. When the convention started on Thursday there was a great excitement in the air and it continued when one of our vendors had a cocktail party for us in the lounge. This was hosted by Porter Cable(who is also now Black and Decker) that is something we hadn't seen until this show. Throughout the convention our vendors really supported our efforts and we owe them a BIG thanks for all they did to make such a wonderful show. Between the registered attendees, boot camp participants, walk-ins, vendors and their folks, we had nearly 200 people at this show. This is incredible and it was great to see such full rooms and participation in events.
As I was teaching the Wood Boot Camp I was pleasantly surprised to meet George Mixon, who is an R&D Chemist from Sherwin Williams in the class. I later met a Q&A gentleman from Catepillar, as well as the folks from Black and Decker. The folks who attended the show to see what we were all about was exciting and more importantly rewarding. These folks expressed an offer of help to our organization to enhance courses, determine standards, and any other avenues of aid to the PWNA. This was a welcome feature to this convention. I apologize that I didn't get to talk in detail with folks as much as I would have liked as I was teaching the Wood Boot Camp but, it looks like we will not have the Boot Camps in the middle of the convention moving forward which will allow for more interaction. The Pressure Washing 101 course was met with awesome results and will be enhanced for next years convention in Memphis Tennessee.
Jay Tarentino from VSeal was also a huge contributer as he and his company who were one of the sponsors of the convention(Doug Lattimer was another), put on a demo, held a seminar, AND had a booth! The folks from Cleaner Times, Jim and Chuck, won an Award of Appreciation, and have been a great help to the PWNA and our goals. There were 26 booths at this years convention with a goal for next year of at least 40! Thanks to all of our vendors who have helped us grow and reach new heights and benchmarks.
I thoroughly enjoyed meeting people whom I haven't met before like Brian Penney, Mark Gallison, Matt Johnson and his wife, Tony from A Plus, as well as many others who I feel add such a quality to our membership from both a professional and leadership level that is strengthening the organization and providing a strong base for further growth that is exciting.
For those that were wondering what our goals are and our direction I hope this convention has answered them. For those that wonder what we do between conventions I hope you have learned that there is a lot of things happening. For those that question if we are an organization for members and non-members I hope we have put that puppy to rest. I hope you found we ARE an organization for the INDUSTRY! If there are any questions about our direction or programs please contact myself or ANY Board Member.
I want to thank Jack, Mark, and Cathy from JMP, our management company for providing excellent leadership throughout the year and putting on an absolutetly awesome convention. A huge thanks to ALL of our vendors who attended and gave so much. Another great big thanks to the Board of Directors and Committee Members who have made such a difference. Another big thanks to all the members who attended but also to those who DID NOT attend as your dues and support help us to grow the PWNA and provide such a great show. We hope to see all the members and future members at the next convention. I am sure I left out quite a bit but as I remember more I'll post more. I am humbled and appreciative to belong to this organization and to be able to serve, meet, and interact with such professional and enthusiastic membership!
It is very difficult to find a place to start in describing my view if this years convention in Columbus, Ohio so I'll try to work in time sequence. As an Executive Board we were supposed to come in and attend our scheduled meeting on Tuesday March 15th at 3pm. We all spoke and arrived early and were all in the hotel by Monday evening. We proceeded to get breakfast together at 8am and continued to "work" until our meeting at 3pm with our Executive Director Jack Pitzer. I am proud to serve with leaders who show this type of commitment. I really want to commend Doc Reisman, our Immediate Past President for his tenure, leadership, and direction that has gotten us to reach most all of our goals! We went through our financials as if the PWNA were our own businesses and we discussed our successes and our areas of opportunity from both a financial and performance basis. It was clear to everyone what our President, Paul Horsley, wants and that is a focus on specific items, not too many, finish those and ask for more. Pay attention to detail and complete tasks with a concentrated focus on Local Professional Chapters that are able to be attended by members and non-members. This was communicated throughout the convention. We met with Jack Pitzer and really had a productive meeting that when we were done set the tone for the rest of the convention. We then met as entire Board on Wednesday and were very productive and when we walked away we were one unit working together with one purpose and specific goals. It was great to be able to meet and work with such "team players." This unity and cohesiveness led to a great convention that had such enthusiasm and a climate that I have now witnessed for the first time at one of our shows. The work that committees had worked on throughout the year is really paying off. When the convention started on Thursday there was a great excitement in the air and it continued when one of our vendors had a cocktail party for us in the lounge. This was hosted by Porter Cable(who is also now Black and Decker) that is something we hadn't seen until this show. Throughout the convention our vendors really supported our efforts and we owe them a BIG thanks for all they did to make such a wonderful show. Between the registered attendees, boot camp participants, walk-ins, vendors and their folks, we had nearly 200 people at this show. This is incredible and it was great to see such full rooms and participation in events.
As I was teaching the Wood Boot Camp I was pleasantly surprised to meet George Mixon, who is an R&D Chemist from Sherwin Williams in the class. I later met a Q&A gentleman from Catepillar, as well as the folks from Black and Decker. The folks who attended the show to see what we were all about was exciting and more importantly rewarding. These folks expressed an offer of help to our organization to enhance courses, determine standards, and any other avenues of aid to the PWNA. This was a welcome feature to this convention. I apologize that I didn't get to talk in detail with folks as much as I would have liked as I was teaching the Wood Boot Camp but, it looks like we will not have the Boot Camps in the middle of the convention moving forward which will allow for more interaction. The Pressure Washing 101 course was met with awesome results and will be enhanced for next years convention in Memphis Tennessee.
Jay Tarentino from VSeal was also a huge contributer as he and his company who were one of the sponsors of the convention(Doug Lattimer was another), put on a demo, held a seminar, AND had a booth! The folks from Cleaner Times, Jim and Chuck, won an Award of Appreciation, and have been a great help to the PWNA and our goals. There were 26 booths at this years convention with a goal for next year of at least 40! Thanks to all of our vendors who have helped us grow and reach new heights and benchmarks.
I thoroughly enjoyed meeting people whom I haven't met before like Brian Penney, Mark Gallison, Matt Johnson and his wife, Tony from A Plus, as well as many others who I feel add such a quality to our membership from both a professional and leadership level that is strengthening the organization and providing a strong base for further growth that is exciting.
For those that were wondering what our goals are and our direction I hope this convention has answered them. For those that wonder what we do between conventions I hope you have learned that there is a lot of things happening. For those that question if we are an organization for members and non-members I hope we have put that puppy to rest. I hope you found we ARE an organization for the INDUSTRY! If there are any questions about our direction or programs please contact myself or ANY Board Member.
I want to thank Jack, Mark, and Cathy from JMP, our management company for providing excellent leadership throughout the year and putting on an absolutetly awesome convention. A huge thanks to ALL of our vendors who attended and gave so much. Another great big thanks to the Board of Directors and Committee Members who have made such a difference. Another big thanks to all the members who attended but also to those who DID NOT attend as your dues and support help us to grow the PWNA and provide such a great show. We hope to see all the members and future members at the next convention. I am sure I left out quite a bit but as I remember more I'll post more. I am humbled and appreciative to belong to this organization and to be able to serve, meet, and interact with such professional and enthusiastic membership!
