Oh. even in my absense from the BBS, It is still nice to know people are still thinking about me. I would like to take a minute to clarify a few diluted misconceptions that have been put out here about my role as a distributor, holding a round table for personal gain and the inaccuracies of the vendor / contractor mix at the Albany event.
First of all, I agree with you Mike, a good event can be done for less money than Orlando.... You can put on an event that offers hot meals to the contractor, a superb lunch buffet and tangible information to the contractors that they can use in business all included in the price of the event. I chose that route as opposed to a FREE event, that some have offered - where the free events in the past have charged for special sessions (99.00 to learn how to tie your shoes) , and have people eat out on their own.
I chose the format to make it convienent for the contractors, and the cost of the event.... no one cared. The other misnomer out there is that I hid behind the scenes as a distributor holding the event for personal gain. The reality of the situation is this.... by the time I got through with the event, I promoted every major distributor in the country - ACR. Delco, Sunbrite, Pressure Tek, Sirroco, Haynes Reels, Soap Warehouse, AR Pumps of NA, Goodyear and Syntek. These are just a few of the distributors that I promoted. I did not charge them 100, 200 500, or 800 to set up or show up. I remember Pete M. commenting on the transparancey of the event. All distributors that were in attendance were introduced - the 8 or 10 that were there (LOL not 43).
At the time of the event, my wife and I were selling a few parts to school bus garages and highway departments and rarely a section of hose to a local contractor if they were in a jam. I did not hold that event for personal gain as a distributor - nor did I consider ourselves (Wife and I) as a distributor. In fact, we really started the a formal distributorship this year.
So I want to make something clear, especially for the ignorant misinformed megalomaniacs that may have any misinformed facts about the event. First, I paid dearly for the NY Event. By the time the bills (advertising, postage, equipment rental, ect.), meeting room rental, comped rooms and seminar food was paid for, my wife and I laid out over 2100.00 of our own money to put on an educational seminar for contractors thus bringing in the distributors for the contractors to put faces to the checks they write for supplies and equipment year around. Not to mention the time my wife put into the event that was held on her Birthday.The one alledged distributor (my company) that was present, not once talked about selling equipment or promoting a distributorship. I did promote all other distributors and sponsors at every opportunity and promoted the UAMCC at that time, delivering (i think) 20 or 21 new members to the UAMCC doorstep. Yea.... I really scored BIG personal gains with this event!
Regarding joing the org as a distributor as one has suggested... First, I dont give a dam what his opinion or thoughts are, he is like a broken record that skips and keeps repeating the same old thing, but there are many on the BBS that I respect. We have two entities... Distributorship and a contract cleaning company. There is no value in joining as a distributor, the membership is low and a current and updated business plan has not been offered from the new board.... I know they are busy and I know it will come. They are doing a good job and I think they are getting the Org back on track. But the decision to join, when and if I ever do, will simply come down to Return on Investment, both percieved and actual ROI. Business is business. We currently focus on municipalities, trucking companies and the end user to sell products and equipment to, In fact I have referred people to other distributors closer to them for parts, equipment and accessories.
Apparently because I have a distributorship, I an unable to have my contract cleaning company rejoin the UAMCC. I respect the BOD stance on this and understand their reasoning. It will effect more than just me. Mike Hinderlighter has a distributorship and a contract cleaning company as do many others. So I know I was not singled out and prohibited from joining as a member.
Thank for keeping me in your thoughts, Don't get over here much and I actually think this is the first time I have posted in over a month. I wish everyone a good holiday. I am still looking at a spring educational event, we will see if it comes together.
Matt