Members Enjoy A Warm Welcome in San Antonio

Association members who traveled to San Antonio last week for our 2014 Spring Conference found sunshine, warm temperatures and Texas hospitality, along with an expanded speaking program, a supplier showcase and plentiful networking opportunities. Those of us from northern climates were ready for a break from winter weather, and our host city delivered!

The conference was productive and well-attended—our largest in 20 years—with more than 350 executives and guests participating. Also nudging attendance records was Tuesday afternoon’s Supplier Showcase. The exhibit hall was near capacity, with one of the largest rosters of exhibitors we’ve ever seen.

Recent changes to the speaking program proved successful, including offering more sessions, starting the first full day with morning sessions, and scheduling the Supplier Showcase earlier in the week.

One of the best-attended sessions was our panel discussion on managing risks in the workplace. In the photo above, Association President Marc McConnell introduces our panel of experts, who addressed issues ranging from workers’ compensation and employee theft to prescription drug abuse and the use of camera surveillance. A diverse panel provided for differing viewpoints and a healthy debate among our HR attorney, insurance executive, doctor and surveillance expert on a number of topics.

A new purchasing track made its debut, and both presentations quickly filled up. Attendees responded favorably to the topics and requested more related programming, so look for purchasing-themed content at our upcoming events and in our publications.

Registration was robust for the Walk/Run along the Riverwalk on Wednesday morning. Around 60 early birds participated and picked up colorful commemorative T-shirts before regrouping for the remaining day’s activities.

The conference finale was a tour of Alamo Industrial Group’s plant in Seguin, TX. Members filled the motorcoach that transported them to the sprawling facility, whose staff greeted them with gifts bags. After a safety briefing, visitors were shown the equipment and processes that Alamo Industrial uses to assemble a variety of mowers and mount them on tractors. Thanks to our hosts for their warm welcome and informative tour.

For Association staff, the highlight of this event was greeting many of our members in person. We hope you enjoyed it, and we look forward to seeing you next March in Charlotte, NC.

Charlotte offers a fusion of southern charm and cosmopolitan character, with such local attractions as the NASCAR Hall of Fame within walking distance of our Uptown hotel. With over 500 daily flights and the airport just seven miles from our hotel, Charlotte makes travel planning easy. Watch for additional details in future issues of Shortliner.