There is a slogan that a few dozen people from Tuesday's INTRO event completely get. "All for One! One for All!" Attendees and presenters alike walked away with strong feel goods yesterday. Show Chairman and MMHF Chair, Ron Thomas Sr. said, "I grade tough, but I give it a B+." That was fair, maybe I'd say A-, but either way, we were close! What was exciting to behold was that all involved saw in living color how shining the spot light on good ideas, good services, products and opportunities benefits everyone in the mix.
I spoke with a site builder from Stafford, Texas. He is looking forward to speaking with DJ Pendleton, because he is now interested in exploring the world of manufactured housing. Another from NY was looking at using factory building too, but also walked away with interest in manufactured home communities. A gentleman from KY associated with an agency there left impressed. Some community owners enjoyed the educational opportunities and were wowed by the Nathan Smith bus tour of Whispering Oaks
.
No doubt when they and others walk the homes at the Louisville Show today, they will 'get it' the rest of the way. Everyone in the mix benefited!
This INTRO to Manufactured Home Opportunities Day is a concept whose time has come! To a man and woman, each one I spoke with – and I spoke with a couple of dozen or so – felt they learned a lot and valued what they experienced.
If I stopped to name all the names of who did what well, I'd have to name everyone.
The presenters were terrific. They are all true experts and professionals for a reason.
The attendees were engaged. The event would never have come off without the sponsors. Here is the link to those whose courage and vision made INTRO possible.
Here is a link to most of the presenters at INTRO.
Today. It will be cold outside but red hot inside at the Louisville Show. There is a positive energy that is back that wasn't there in the sliding years before 2010. Ron Thomas Sr., who is a great gent and has a way of capturing a phrase, told attendees last year words to the effect that 'We have to recognize that there is a new base line.
We can't just look back to 1998. We have to start where we are and build from here.'
He is right.
Ron and I don't see everything eye to eye, but there is no question that the man is passionate about our industry! Anyone who has witnessed his team sell some 6000 homes over the years has earned the right to have strong opinions! We need more Ron Thomas'.
I noted earlier that everyone did a great job. It is true.
At the risk of sounding like I'm tipping my hat more to this or that person over another, let me shine the light for a few moments on Lisa Tyler from Walden University. This lady is a credit to academia. There was no real, direct 'win' in it for her to present. Lisa Tyler spent her own time and money to share an academic perspective on our industry. She raised an number of strong myth-busting points. It was a job well done!
Lisa has owned a manufactured home herself and having worked in our Industry, so she gets it. Let's hope and encourage her doctoral dissertation, because she and others like her are a bridge for all involved too. Lisa Tyler deserves the thanks and encouragement of our industry, because it is relationships like hers that will pave the way for the better understanding of the greatness of our Industry. May her victory lie in the days ahead.
Lisa, you have my personal thanks for sure.
From a modest beginning, we are building the foundation of something good tomorrow. To quote my friend, Dennis Hill, first we crawl, then we walk. Then we run! Through team work, we have done that at Louisville. The Midwest Manufactured Housing Federation deserve high fives.
All for One! One for All!
There are a few glory hounds who some think have mastered the art of patting each other on the back while they skirt the rules of the Show and stick their thumbs in the eyes of associations and businesses alike. Time will tell, but don't be surprised if they reap what they sew, because we all tend to do just that, don't we? They'll have their 15 minutes. But this is about the next 15 years. Will they be around?
May one ask, or speculate…unlikely in their present capacities? As many told me, what do they have compared to what we experienced yesterday?
We sewed good seed yesterday at INTRO. Homes will be sold today in Louisville! Real Exhibitors who play nice will benefit their MH Industry customers. Our great Industry is coming back from its new base line!
So the cold won't keep an estimated 1700 +/- attendees and exhibitors from doing what it takes to make their businesses thrive in 2013 and beyond.
Success begins in our minds with a vision. The plan has to be executed. The missteps must be opportunities to learn from and improve. Crawl, walk then run!
I said yesterday as we opened the day that it is my hope that a year from now, or 5 years from now, that those who made INTRO possible, will look back and say, "I was there! We did that together!"
It is likewise my hope that the gutsy ones who invested in the Return of the Louisville Show will say, "Working together, we made that happen!" Without Louisville, no INTRO.
We are starting to head into a promising new era. I can feel it, can't you?
It is an era where 'competitors' see the value of sharing stages, because they all benefit as do the attendees. Where each respects the other, and does their best to serve clients well and earn dollars by doing what is right.
It is an era where professionals working with real associations (sorry, but the wannabes in formation, have already tipped their hands. What are they doing, trying to leech off the work of others?) advance and grow. Good professionals, REAL associations and a source that shines the light on what's going on.
The good who are making it happen will triumph, others have the chance to learn a lesson.
We are witnesses to Brave New Beginnings. My thanks for being part of the solution! ##
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L. A. "Tony" Kovach
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