Believe It Or Not – Spring Is Around The Corner

When many members look out of their windows, particularly in the Midwest, the thought of springtime just draws guffaws. Just last week, much of the Midwest and East Coast was nailed with snow and ice storms that virtually stopped all activities.

But the thought of chasing a golf ball down, over green manicured fairways, swinging a tennis racket in the hot afternoon sun, taking a dip in a crystal clear swimming pool just to cool off seems as far off as that upswing in the Dow or in housing prices.

The fact is that our thoughts are turning to the warm Arizona sun and preparations, including registration, are now being made for the April 2-4 Spring Management Clinic at the beautiful Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort in Phoenix. FEMA members who attended the last Clinic at the Pointe Hilton Tapatio in 2005 will recall what a fabulous resort this is.

Spring air, a beautiful setting, and a chance for a brief respite from the hustle and bustle of everyday work, however, are not the only reasons FEMA members attend the Spring Management Clinic (or, at least, will admit to). An outstanding management program, a great opportunity to meet with suppliers as well as your chance to network with fellow shortline manufacturers make this an information-gathering venue second to none.

As the general economy speeds up its downward trend, where else can you pick up the latest news and rumors now spreading fast and furious about who’s buying whom, how a particular manufacturer is doing, how are ag sales in a particular sector, than at one of the premier meetings of like executives in a similar industry? And where else can you hear the number of pros speaking on how to better run your business?

Pros like Bill Conerly focusing on the economic business outlook and Larry Oxenham speaking on Advanced Lawsuit Protection, Tax Reduction, and Estate Planning Strategies, will give you valuable information you’ll use to better manage your company in the upcoming year.

For supplier members, there’s the Product Showcase. Currently almost 40% of the booths are reserved. Exhibitors can still choose their preferred booth, so to get the best of the remaining booths, register today. There’s also a new way to get the name of your company out there, golf hole sponsorship at the annual supplier-sponsored Harold Halter Memorial Golf Tournament. (For details, contact the FEMA office.)

Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale is a shopper’s paradise and is an attraction itself. This year spouses
and/or guests can choose to sign up for a shopping tour which will visit two well known shopping destinations, Downtown Scottsdale and the Biltmore Fashion Park, with lunch in between.

Downtown Scottsdale offers some of the finest galleries, specialty retail, cultural attractions and dining in the Valley of the Sun. Downtown Scottsdale is at the heart of the city’s art scene, with Contemporary and Western Art, Theatre 4301 and a wide variety of outdoor sculptures set amid the lush green lawns and sparkling fountains of Civic Center Mall.

Scottsdale’s Arts District is home to a high concentration of galleries showcasing some of the best Western and Southwestern art in the country. Throughout “Old Town“, shopkeepers sell quality Native American crafts, offering everything from hand-woven Navajo rugs to Zuni silver jewelry.

Located within a romantic open-air park setting with walkways, lush landscaping and hacienda fountains Biltmore Fashion Park offers upscale shopping at over 70 fine shops including Saks 5th Avenue,
Gucci and Cartier. (Continued on page 2)

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is the main gateway into the Valley by air. Phoenix is serviced by 20 airlines, including nonstop international flights from British Airways, Aero Mexico and Air Canada. Southwest Airlines and USAirways, both have hubs at Sky Harbor. So if one of those airlines services the city you fly out of, those would probably give you the best flight options and fares.

More information about the meeting can be found at www.FarmEquip.org. Here you’ll find a list of those already registered for the meeting, the list of companies participating in the showcase and much more.