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April 3-5, 2013. ISS is the Inside Self-Storage World Expo, and there’s nothing like it in the world, we were reliably informed. The expo hall featured more than 100 exhibits, allowing visitors to explore and converse with suppliers in industry-dominating numbers. The education program offered the up-to-date critical business information delegates needed to excel in today’s self-storage industry. The Education Tracks were organized based on categories regarding each of these markets: Building Blocks, International, Investor Essentials, Limiting Liability, Manager Essentials, Marketing and Owner Essentials. One keynoter talked about adding space by building up instead of out, adding thoughts on when to consider climate-control storage, and how to capitalize on the immediate demand for boat and RV storage in waterside markets. Another session addressed a wide range of issues pertaining to successful facility design, covering site selection, zoning issues, design options, costs, and construction do’s and don’ts. All in all, quite a “store” of knowledge…
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 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 5-7, 2013. The RPA is a self-governed not-for-profit organization comprised of professionals involved in all facets of production and distribution of retail packaging products including boxes, bows, bags, tissue, wrapping paper, tape, and stuff like that. RPA has member companies representing all entities of retail packaging nationwide and abroad. The RPA is a distributor-driven organization offering sales opportunities for manufacturers of packaging products. Exhibitors had to be producers or manufacturers of retail packaging products or providers of services that benefit RPA members. People came for client referrals, discounts on services, scholarship opportunities for students, and other benefits. There was a “Lunch & Learn” opportunity – participants could reserve a box lunch and attend a sales seminar. No-one felt “boxed in”, though there was plenty of “red tape” on view…
March 3-6, 2013. TCA is the Truckload Carriers Association, dedicating itself to operational efficiency, industry awareness, public policy, recruitment and retention – some common issues for an uncommon industry. TCA is apparently the only national trade association whose sole focus is the truckload segment of the motor carrier industry. The association represents dry van, refrigerated, flatbed, intermodal container, and end-dump carriers operating in the 48 contiguous states, as well as Alaska, Mexico, and Canada. The challenges faced by truckload demand solutions, we heard, are tackled from a unique perspective. TCA has a long history that includes several name changes throughout the years. The organization has its origins in two separate groups: the Contract Carrier Conference (founded 1938) and the Common Carrier Conference – Irregular Route (founded 1941). In 1983, these groups merged to become the Interstate Carriers Conference, which changed its name to Interstate Truckload Carriers Conference in 1988. Names by the truckload…!
February 4-7, 2013. At 1.1 billion gallons and climbing, biodiesel has become a force to be reckoned with in meeting America’s ever-escalating fuel supply needs. The annual National Biodiesel Conference & Expo is the event that gathers biodiesel decision-makers from all around the United States and beyond. The theme of this year’s conference was Momentum, referring to the powerful platform that drives biodiesel business year-round. The show was attended by fuel producers, petroleum distributors, corn and soybean growers and agricultural commodity organizations, scientists, policy makers, and alternative fuel users and enthusiasts. The Biodiesel Conference explored topics of governmental policy, technical issues and marketing trends in the biodiesel industry. United States Agriculture Department (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack addressed a standing room only crowd on the final day, saying that the biodiesel industry is helping the country become secure through innovation. King Corn has a new domain…
February 10-12, 2013. NGA is the National Grocers’ Association. President Obama recently signed H.R. 2750, the Food Safety Modernization Act, into law, thus ushering in the most significant overhaul of U.S. Food Safety laws in decades. The bill gives the FDA mandatory food recall authority, directs the FDA to establish science-based standards for safe production and harvesting of fruits and vegetables, increases inspections at high risk facilities, and requires food facilities to have written food safety plans. Accordingly, food safety has become a hot topic for this industry. Effective and credible representation of independent retailer grocers and wholesalers is the primary goal of NGA’s Government Affairs team. This includes enhancing and creating new relationships with elected officials and their staff, identifying opportunities for NGA and its members to testify before Congress, and making NGA the “go to” organization for Congressional leaders looking for information and resources on the independent grocery industry. It’s all food for thought…
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