L E T TER FR OM THE PRESIDENT
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he 24th Annual National Pawnbrokers Association Convention & Tradeshow had over 1,300 attendees from all over the world. The trade show floor was the largest it has ever been with a recordbreaking number of exhibitors registered. by Kevin Prochaska
The National Pawnbrokers Association held its annual convention in Las Vegas June 14-16, 2011. The professionalism of pawnbrokers was the primary topic at this year’s Pawn Expo held at Caesars Palace. The first-season winner of Donald Trump’s The Apprentice, Bill Rancic, spoke about being a successful entrepreneur and how to capitalize on the ever growing popularity of the Pawn brokering industry. Rancic spoke of the risks that he took early in his career and offered creative ideas to grow entrepreneurial businesses. With reality television shining a more positive light on our industry and educating consumers, it’s a great time to be a pawnbroker. The comprehensive educational seminars included risk management and federal requirements of pawnbrokers. The ATF&E educated pawnbrokers on how to identify straw purchases. Other educational speakers included Donna Geary, founder and Executive Director of Impact Visual Merchandising, whose presentation shed light on the pawn store image including branding and ways to attract consumers to particular merchandise. Kit Goldman and Memo Mendez from Workplace Training Network, Inc. provided an entertaining, yet comprehensive, overview on employment practices for small businesses. NPA Board Member, David Johns of Family Financial, provided a comprehensive look at how to develop a pawnbroker skill set including how to qualify your customers, qualify loans, and improve redemption rates. The 24th Annual National Pawnbrokers Association Convention & Tradeshow had over 1,300 attendees from all over the world. The trade show floor was the largest it has ever been with a record-breaking number of exhibitors registered. Tuesday evening, Members and Exhibitors entered on the red carpet for a Hollywoodthemed Welcome Reception and Auction where there was even an appearance by Marilyn Monroe! During the Annual Membership Meeting,
new Officers were announced which included: Kevin Prochaska - President Ben Levinson - Vice President Robert Anderson - Treasurer Kathy Pierce - Secretary The 2011-2012 Committees are now in place and include: Kevin MacDonald – Membership Chair David Crume –Past President Government Relations Committee Chair Greg Geile –Convention Chair Roger Loder –Strategic Planning Chair Tom Howard –Communications Chair Steve Rogers – Awards and Qualifications Chair Kathy Pierce – Longstanding Chair of the FBL
In addition to new members and officers, the NPA acknowledged the retirement of Fran Bishop of Dollar Pawn, Inc, in Haleyville, AL, and Dave Adelman of Jerry’s Pawn Shop, Inc. in Atlanta, GA. Both were awarded the Charles R. Jones Lifetime Achievement Award for their long-term service to the industry. Bob Moulton, CEO of National Pawn & Jewelry in Raleigh, NC, received the 2011 NPA Pawnbroker of the Year Award. Over the last couple of years, NPA members have seen great successes in legislative efforts and improvement in our industry perception as a result of the NPA’s efforts on their behalf. The Board will continue these efforts in the coming years by placing importance in staying in front of emerging legislative issues. We will be proactive in the education of our legislators and regulators instead of finding ourselves in a reactive mode because we haven’t been active enough. Our public relations efforts have done many positive things for our industry. We are looking for new ways to employ more of the new media techniques to serve as useful tools and information sources for
our current members. In the coming year, the NPA will continue to seek ways to reach out to non-members encouraging them to join the Association. The NPA relies on its existing members to encourage and educate non-members on the benefits of becoming a member and the ability for members to utilize the united force of an organization seeking positive results for our industry. Acquiring new members is essential in making the NPA a fresh and effective organization. As an organization, we have made it through tough times and have worked diligently to get the organization more financially stable than it has been in the past. The NPA will continue to invest our reserves for our future so that, in coming years, the organization can become an even more viable organization protecting our members’ rights to do business without increased legislative and regulative burdens. I’m confident in the progress the organization has made and look forward to being a part of the continued growth of our industry. On behalf of the Board, I encourage current members to get actively involved and look forward to seeing each of you at next year’s convention and celebration of the NPA’s 25th Anniversary which will be held at Las Vegas’ newest addition, the Cosmopolitan Hotel of Las Vegas. With 52 stories, the chic Cosmopolitan has almost 3,000 eclectic and unique guest rooms and seven restaurants. Next year’s Convention is sure to be our best event yet - full of ongoing education from our seminars and Expo and fun-filled fellowship among our industry. We all look forward to seeing you then! Kevin Prochaska, President
AUGUST 2011
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