MORE FROM NAVA THIS WEEKEND

Stu Case is a good friend and somewhat of a rebellious pioneer in the industry. He has consistently proven to be ethical and honest. Truly someone "note worthy" in the Association and the industry!!! Thanks for all of your knowledge and help Stu, in the Past, Present, and future!!! Oh ya, he is also somewhat of a good golfer..... ;) Curt

NAVA ANNUAL MEETING

So the Annual meeting came and went with no perceptible change in the current atmosphere or in the future for that matter. I would like to say thank you to Ron Scoggins of Portland Vending and DR. Paresh Patel of Courtesy Vending for at least coming and listening to the educational classes that were given. I would hope that they took away enough good information that they might inquire about joining and bringing to the Association what it so desperately needs...New Members! I am really considering joining Nama(which is required) in order to possibly occupy a seat on the Board of Governors, so that i might be able to speak and implement new ideas and ways of thinking that would bring the Association into the eyes of the new generations that we need to succeed and at the minimum survive in the industry. I was also glad to see that the members elected Karena Randall onto the Board as she is and will be a pioneer for the future of our industry, one step in the right direction. The main educational speaker Mr.Rick Leffke gave a good speech on "Sales Simplified" the basic gist of the thing was to try and think out of the box while "selling" to people. It was good but i fear that with 21 associate members and only 16 operator members present, this presentation was geared more toward the Brokers, Manufacturers and Distributors that were present rather than possibly showing operators better ways to "sell" new accounts and so forth. It would also be cool to figure out how to get more independent woman into our industry as there has never really been to many involved at least in the NW with our industry, maybe the Board could work on some incentives to help something like this move forward. Thinking outside the box was correct but i think having a board full of members that have lived in the box for so long it will be nearly impossible to Realize a brighter future for our Association!! I hope everybody has a great week ahead and it is filled with prosperity and health. Curt

NAVA COMING UP NEXT WEEKEND

Hey Guy's, I just wanted to remind everyone(i'll probably remind everyone a couple times) that the Nava Annual meeting is next Saturday, i would really encourage everyone to come and check it out! There are alot of tools available out there for your business and these guys can provide them all. Anyway, check it out. It is worth the "look". Curt

E-THOUGHT FOR THURSDAY JULY 23, 2009

Good day fellow Vending enthusiast. Whats in a Trade Association? A Trade association is an organization funded by business' that operate in a specific industry, these types of associations typically participate in Public Relations activities such as advertising,education,political donations,lobbying and publishing.
Their main focus however is to provide a beneficial vehicle for "collaboration within and between it's member companies".
It is in this last function that i take issue with OUR industries local Trade Association. When i first started in this industry 18 years ago, OUR local associations attendance and membership was thriving.
There were several large Independents whose companies participated greatly in OUR associations and it's members needs. Over the years as the larger Independents "sold-out" or had no choice but to be consumed by the larger national organizations, the leaders of these companies seemed to change direction and focus more on their individual needs or their "buddies" needs rather than to use the association for what it was formed and organized for in the first place. "Strong fruitful collaboration within the group and it's members".
It is my opinion that this is why OUR local association is in the position that it finds itself today. Low membership and no or very little participation or collaboration within it's membership.
The self appointed Aristocracy in my opinion has alienated the small(but growing) hungry, intelligent, hard working, driven, independent vending entrepreneur and as far as i can tell it was because they(aristocracy) felt that these fledgling, immature independent companies were of no value to THEM and not the organization.
I personally come in contact with 10 to 30 of these companies on a daily bases and i can tell you that they are very intelligent, eager, and able to do what it takes to make the Vending industry an integral and profitable part of our economy. i also know how much these independent would benefit by being part of an organized effort of collaboration and goodwill.
C'mon people, lets start helping each other out through these very difficult economic times. we have the tools in place, the association has paid lobbyist fighting for vendors rights everyday, we just have to tell them what to fight for!!! The association has scholarships available for your children, they also offer very informative industry workshops...there are tons of benefits to being part of a great organization as long as WE are all in it TOGETHER! The associations annual meeting is coming up on July 31st and August 1st. The meeting on Saturday Aug 1st is open to everyone for a very reasonable cost of $30 this includes Breakfast and lunch as well as several industry speakers, speaking on subjects that matter to all of US!!!!
I strongly encourage everyone to attend this meeting to see what it's about!!!

Regards

Curt Wokal

NAVA ANNUAL MEETING

The Nava annual meeting is coming up on the 31st of July and the 1st of Aug at the Portland Marriott! i would encourage anybody to attend at least the Open meeting on Saturday the 1st. They usually have some great speakers with good information. It is also a great opportunity to meet with other Professionals in our Industry. Feel free to call me here at Vend NW(503-262-8288) for more info. curt