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April 7-11, 2013. ARDA stands for the American Resort Development Association, and its big focus seems to be timeshare. This is the trade association representing the vacation ownership and resort development industries (i.e. timeshares in ordinary parlance). ARDA has almost 1,000 corporate members ranging from privately held firms to publicly traded corporations with extensive experience in shared ownership interests in leisure real estate. The membership also includes timeshare owner associations (HOAs), resort management companies, industry vendors, suppliers, and consultants; as well as owners, through the ARDA Resort Owners Coalition. The ARDA International Foundation (AIF) offers professional and educational development through publications covering the industry’s ethical, legal, regulatory, and operational intricacies; study courses; and tests that assess industry knowledge. Market intelligence recognizes no “black dates”, apparently…
April 16-18, 2013. This was an event for senior-level military and industry leaders in sustainment, maintenance, repair, and overhaul. Aviation Week MRO Americas and MRO Military claimed to understand that travel budgets are tight and growing tighter. The priority was to deliver the most up-to-date and accurate information to an aviation audience. They condensed the MRO military program, usually two days, into one consolidated day of information, analysis, and program updates to deliver the best value for money. Briefings covered: GFY 2013 and 2014 budget reviews and their impact to MRO business, global defense sustainment market forecasts, industry perspectives on sustainment and sequestration, how emerging innovations can drive greater defense affordability, and how industry can help DoD deploy performance-based sustainment strategies. Is “sustainment” actually a word?
March 26-28, 2013. SITL in Paris was all about logistics solutions. The show brought together all the products and innovative services dedicated to the supply, distribution and the supply chain of tomorrow for the benefit of the goods transportation and logistics services community. The expo offering was completed by Intralogistics, the exhibition for handling equipment in manufacturing and distribution held concurrently with SITL, and bringing together all handling equipment and automated systems which process and rationalize the physical movements of supply, production and distribution. In total, 25,000 delegates poured through the doors. Transport Intelligence published a unique new report on the European e-commerce market, which provided a comprehensive overview of the size of the market, recent trends and developments and profiles of key logistics providers and post offices that provide e-commerce services, as well as the supply chain operations of major retailers. People seemed, well… transported…
March 19-22, 2013. The International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association is the fitness industry’s leading global trade association, we heard. IHRSA’s mission is to grow, protect and promote the health and fitness industry, and to provide its members with benefits that will help them be more successful. IHRSA members represent health and fitness facilities, gyms, spas, sports clubs and suppliers worldwide. IHRSA and its members are dedicated to making the world healthier through regular exercise and fitness promotion. IHRSA has affiliations with dozens of government agencies and organizations such as First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! campaign, and the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition. The fitness industry is stepping up as a solution to the growing public health crisis of obesity and weight problems. IHRSA represents and supports this goal through outreach and programs which help promote healthy, active lifestyles, such as the annual Summit for a Healthier America. Now, let’s see you touch your toes…
March 21-23, 2013. MATS is the Mid-America Trucking Show, and it’s for all them drivin’ fools that pull 18 wheels or similar. This is more than just a tradeshow. It is the annual forum and celebration for the heavy-duty trucking industry, providing face-to-face interaction between industry representatives and trucking professionals. Attendees are “driven” to MATS because they can efficiently research the latest products and services to provide their business with a competitive edge. Exhibitors participate in MATS to effectively introduce new offerings, increase brand awareness, promote products and connect with suppliers, customers, and prospects. It’s common knowledge that if you want to conduct business in the trucking industry, you have to be at MATS. It’s not just about raw power, outsized tires, flame-out paint-jobs and chrome, y’know. This here is a serious bidness, youse truckers…! I’m tellin’ ya…!
March 25-28, 2013. AEA stands for the Aircraft Electronics Association, which represents more than 1,300 aviation businesses including repair stations that specialize in maintenance, repair and installation of avionics and electronic systems in general aviation aircraft. AEA membership includes instruments facilities, manufacturers of avionics equipment, instrument manufacturers, airframe manufacturers, test equipment manufacturers, major distributors, and educational institutions. The AEA has an Ambassador Program, created to encourage stronger professional relationships between AEA repair station members and FAA Flight Standards District Offices. As an ambassador, an AEA member representative agrees to keep local FSDOs informed about AEA events, meetings and news. Since its inception, the Ambassador Program has helped to increase FAA personnel attendance at the AEA regional meetings and annual convention. Sort of like “flying to the aid of the industry…”
March 24-27, 2013. NIGA is the big one if you are something to do with Indian Gaming. The National Indian Gaming Association’s Indian Gaming Tradeshow and Convention is the nation’s premier Indian gaming event, where Indian gaming executives, buyers, and industry professionals meet to conduct serious business. No-one currently doing business in or wanting to begin doing business in the Indian casino-entertainment industry feels like they can afford to miss being a part of the Indian gaming industry’s number one event. How is “Indian” actually defined, though? A Sovereign Nation defines its own membership, and each of the nation’s tribes set their own rules for inclusion. A degree of Indian blood is necessary for membership in any tribe, although the percentage of Indian blood required for membership varies among tribes. Most tribes require a person to show one fourth quantum blood degree of his tribe’s blood to be an enrolled member. There are things that tribes don’t gamble on…
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