Let's review some facts about the Manufactured Housing Institute's (MHI) just completed 2014 Congress and Expo at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas, by the numbers:

• Most exhibitors since 2007
• Most attendees since 2008 (some 952, 'the real number' per MHI's President, Dick Jennison)
• Overall positive energy and feedback.

We use the word 'overall' because there were a few mutters heard, but the general tenor was upbeat and positive.

In fact, some who don't normally attend expressed admiration for the event.

Richard 'Dick' Jennison, opening remarks at 2014 Congress and Expo

Keynotes interviewed, to be featured

As at every MHI Congress and Expo, there are numerous breakout sessions and larger ones. Let's take a moment and look at the two keynote addresses given on Wednesday April 30^th and Thursday, May 1st.

Ken Segall, addresses packed house at 2014 MHI Congress and Expo

Author Ken Segall of Apple marketing fame had this message, 'keep it insanely simple.' Segall said,"Simplicity…can move mountains."

One of Ken's key points was that in a busy world, simplicity is appealing and effective with consumers and the public at large.

Chris Fisher told industry attendees that 5 factors point to improved MH Industry demand:

1. population growth,
2. more household formations,
3. rising rental rates with low availability,
4. Recovering employment that is often part time work and
5. Conventional Builders focusing more on higher end housing

Chris Fisher provided reams of data, but simplified at the end to say that manufactured housing is well positioned for a steady rise for many years.

To maximize that opportunity, Fisher asserted that 4 investments were needed by industry organizations, two of which are music to our professional ears:

• targeted marketing and

• investments in training.

MHProNews interviewed both of these experts. We plan to bring you those video reports, made possible by our friends at ManufacturedHomes.com. The working plan is to present those videos, in conjunction with a guest column by each of these noteworthy speakers.

The annual awards ceremony and a number of other presentations marked the calendar for the popular 3 day C&E.

Private Industry Events

The number of private industry mixers and dinners mushroomed this year, another sign that the industry's 4 year come-back trend is real.

H.A.S.

Having too many invites to the various mixers and dinners is a better problem than having no invites at all. At their mixer, HAS Capital was very thoughtful to give Next Step's Stacey Epperson the floor, as they explained a program that will place some 100 Energy Star manufactured homes in communities in 40 different markets. Ms. Epperson referenced her article on MHProNews.com, called Dirty Laundry.

If you missed Stacey's article, click the link above, because she boldly proposes a way to drive business as well as improve over two million lives, while boosting our industry's image in a way that would create profits, jobs and more opportunities.

The DiMarco's know how to pick a dinner and drinks spot!
Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak and Stone Crab is located
near this opulent entrance into the Forum Shops at
Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas.

Security Mortgage Group

Gerry DiMarco (2^nd left) Anthony DiMarco, far right
with some of their sponsors and clients

The DiMarco family had another terrific private event, this year at Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak and Stone Crab near this stunning entry into the Forum Shops at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas.

There was plenty of buzz about

• all the capital chasing deals,
• the impending wave of mortgages that are coming due, which will presumably need refi and
• hundreds of millions in deals done.

Let me thank them for the invite, and Gerry for the kind words he had to say to about a dozen of his guests about our pro-industry publishing and reporting.

New Directions

For those new to the C&E scene, there are some delightful off-the-agenda rituals. This includes the practice of "holding court." While anyone in theory can grab a vacant chair in the halls outside the expo or meeting rooms, some of those who do so have reasons more important than merely checking their messages.

Pull one of the larger industry players aside sometime, then ask them about the term "holding court" at an MHI event. Some are bound to smile that knowing smile…

Those hallway, dinner or bar discussions are not to be underestimated. For those who do those off-agenda meetings, it isn't about the education, as good as that may be. It's about the networking, deal making, discussions and 'holding court' sessions that may yield new directions for those involved that matter most at "C&E."

A Cup of Coffee with…Jim Clayton
The Interview Video is different than the text interview!
Be sure to check out both and
share it with your team for inspiration and
business building insights.

Jim Clayton

As a publisher, there can be a bit of angst over a 'big article' or interview, as you wait to see if it will be received as hoped. The response to a Cup of Coffee with…Jim Clayton interview and video was timed to coincide with MHI's Congress, where the founder of Clayton Homes was in attendance for some two days.

Eugene Landy

Among the industry's many pillars, we caught up in Las Vegas with Eugene Landy, founder of UMH. When we bring you the video interview with him, you'll find some of his comments of interest as you gauge the future of our industry.

Joe Stegmayer, Ron Thomas Senior and Dick Jennison

We have some 10 video interviews – plus a recap video – on tap for you in the days ahead!

Among them will be:

• Joe Stegmayer, Chairman, Cavco Industries and prior Chairman of MHI.
• Ron Thomas Sr., Chairman of the Midwest Manufactured Housing Institute and Chairman of the Louisville Show
• Richard “Dick” Jennison, President and CEO of the Manufactured Housing Institute

Each of these interviews will bring you their unique insights into the rebirth of our industry, and much more.

Let me thank each of them for their kind words in their respective videos about the work of MHProNews in showcasing the factory-built home Industry News Tips and Views Pros can Use, as well as the sponsors, writers and team members who make this platform possible.

If you've not signed up for our emailed news updates, that is the easiest way to keep up with all of the industry's news, you can sign up free at this link here in seconds. You'll get the word on those interviews and more, see a sample emailed newsletter at this link.

Industry Digital Action Alerts

In less than a week, MHI has twice used their new digital action alert system! A few quick mouse clicks, and a U.S. Senator or Congressional Representative can be contacted in your name on a pending issue!  Kudos to Rick Robinson, MH VP and General Counsel, for making this new tool happen.

While GSE reform looks to be stalled for 2014, it is still good to know that MHI members were among those heard on this topic.

Meanwhile, HR 1779 and S 1828 are still in play!  They need your support, give it in a matter of moments at the link above.

Upcoming!

In our midweek blog, the plan is to bring a topic (perhaps more than one) that ought to be of keen interest to all those with a career, business or investments in the manufactured housing space.

Please check back here on the Masthead for those insights. My thanks for your reading here and making MHProNews the #1 trade journal for manufactured and modular housing professionals. Your feedback on industry topics is welcome and appreciated. ##

(Photo credits: MHProNews)

L. A. 'Tony' Kovach ManufacturedHomeLivingNews.com | MHProNews.com | Business and Public Marketing & Ads: B2B | B2C Websites, Contract Marketing & Sales Training, Consulting, Speaking: MHC-MD.com | LATonyKovach.com | Office 863-213-4090 Connect on LinkedIN: http://www.linkedin.com/in/latonykovach