Change, in business as well as in life, is inevitable, and the start of a new year is often filled with change. We make resolutions, outline goals and prepare for the year ahead. An exciting change for me in 2016 is the opportunity to serve as chairman of NATSO—a position I’m humbled and honored to serve in. I’d like to thank Tom Heinz for his outstanding leadership during his term as chairman. As an association and an industry, we owe him a debt of gratitude for his service.
Without change, progress is impossible. While change is a part of life, the way we react to it and prepare for it is what is truly important. Sometimes we welcome something new and other times, we’re unsure. Through our association with NATSO, the suppliers that support the association and industry experts, we have the opportunity to learn about and prepare for the trends and changes that are coming our way. Perhaps even better is that through the insight and the knowledge we gain, we can often break ahead of the pack and innovate new solutions for our customers and our industry.
Participating in industry meetings, such as The NATSO Show, and the international and national learning opportunities NATSO provides offers unparalleled and unique occasions to learn from those around us. These opportunities provide the raw materials we need for our next great idea. Insights come when we take time to observe and understand.
One thing I’ve seen over the years is how open and willing our fellow operators are to share their thoughts, ideas and ways of doing business. We have so much that we can learn from each other. Throughout 2016, I encourage you to look for opportunities to interact with your fellow operators. If you haven’t already registered for The NATSO Show in February, there is still time, and please save the date for the Day on the Hill event May 16–18, 2016. Stay tuned for information on NATSO’s study tours, and take part in ongoing learning opportunities throughout the year.
So many new opportunities come from people, and networking is one of the best ways businesses discover new contacts, increase knowledge and find new solutions. This year, make it a goal to take time to start or grow a relationship, whether it is one that comes from a phone call or a face-to-face meeting. If you’re attending The NATSO Show, please take time to say hello. I look forward to seeing you in Florida.
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