By Bob Foust III
Abraham Lincoln once said something to this effect: “I’ll halt to a point of view just until someone shows me the value of another point of view.”
During our week in Long Beach and just about every day since, your NOMMA staff and Board have spoken with exhibitors, past presidents, new and long-time fabricator members — and the one overwhelming “point of view” is that we must not eliminate our yearly convention and trade show.
We understand that — more than ever — value is of great importance. That’s why I am pleased to announce that METALfab 2010 will be held in Tulsa, OK, for the first time in NOMMA history.
Well, you asked for it, and now you have it. Multi-tier education! Hands-on training! Plenty of shop tours! As soon as the details are finalized, you will begin to see what’s in store for METALfab 2010.
Recently, I spent two days in Tulsa, and was amazed and surprised — amazed at what Tulsa has to offer, and surprised to see that this mid-sized metropolis has a vibrant small town feel with big entertainment and many attractions. (Don’t let this get back to Kansas City, but the barbecue was excellent!) Why have we never been to Tulsa before?
Doug Bracken and I visited with shop tour candidates and met with potential new exhibitors, and the reaction to what NOMMA is bringing to Tulsa next March was thrilling.
Making METALfab 2010 more educational — with more products to view — and more affordable for everyone is at the heart of this plan. These improvements reflect our commitment to turning that philosophy into meaningful benefits for you and your shop.
We were confronted with information that suggested there is a better path forward. We are at the beginning of a blueprint for an ambitious agenda, not just for 2009 and not just for future METALfabs, but also for the future of NOMMA.
Now, let me give you a quick Strategic Plan update. In late June, your NOMMA Board will meet in Atlanta for our board and strategic planning meeting. This is a critical time in the strategic plan process and that is why your immediate past president, Terry Barrett, will continue leading the strategic planning charge. Terry and the board will remain focused during the next few months on executing this plan and paving the way towards an updated NOMMA.
In my previous letter, I asked for your help. Many of you have called to give ideas, all of them good. And that made me think how special this really is. I am getting advice from people in my industry, most of whom have been doing this a lot longer than I, and have experienced all of the same pains. This is a real resource that, for the most part, is untapped. As you come to decide your own level of NOMMA involvement, let me just repeat something Breck Nelson (Kelley Ornamental) said: “Once you get involved with NOMMA, you will get much more back than you could ever give.”
NOMMA is vested in changing the future of your shops, and this is where it becomes easy for your Board and staff to become very committed and extremely focused on our partnership.
In closing, for a little over two years, we have been hearing politicians using the word “change,” to the point that it has become tiresome with less meaning. Unfortunately, I must spout that same word, but please understand that we think the ability to change is critical to leadership. We can change. In the coming months, you will begin to see changes. Your NOMMA board is listening.
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