OFFICER’S MESSAGE
Take it From a North Carolinian By Catherine Martin, Ilderton Conversions TREASURER, NMEDA
H
ow time flies when you’re
Committee. This year’s Conference is
about the mobility industry with
having fun! I can’t believe
expected to be the best one yet for so
8-12 people per table). Last but not
we are half way through this
many reasons:
least: Don’t forget our TECHNICIAN
year already. The summer selling season is upon us, and it seems like there is some relief with inventory finally flowing onto dealers’ lots across the country. Unfortunately, dealers are still plagued with staffing shortages including technicians. Both of these items were major topics discussed at the NMEDA Strategic Planning Session in April. The Board of Directors met with NMEDA Staff and moderator Bob Harris to develop a vision for NMEDA for the next three years. The 2022-2025 Strategic Plan is being developed to not only tackle current difficulties the mobility industry is facing like the afore mentioned technician shortage, but to
Location Flying to Charlotte is easy with direct flights from 137 cities within the US. The Charlotte Convention Center is
TRAINING! BraunAbility & VMI will be hosting trainings as well as the Manufacturer Service School and Turny EVO Seat Training.
located in Uptown Charlotte (not
Auction Fundraiser
Downtown) and has many bars,
The Conference Committee & Staff have
restaurants and the NASCAR Hall of
been working to find ways to grow the
Fame within walking distance. If you
auction and capitalize on the success
can, plan to arrive a little early to see
we had in January. (If you hadn’t heard,
the sights of Charlotte before the
the auction brought in just under $80K!)
conference begins. Uptown Charlotte
To assist with donation solicitation, we
is also home to The Carolina Panthers
have developed a “menu” of items to
who will host the Arizona Cardinals
help those folks who want to donate but
Sunday Oct 2nd @ 4pm. Area
struggle with what to donate. And we’re
hotels including our host hotel, The
investigating how to bring the auction
Westin, will fill quickly so make your
online, so that people who cannot
reservations as soon as possible.
attend the conference, or cannot stay through day three can have the chance
also create new tools and programs
Weather
that add value to our members. Be
No snow boots needed this time! The
on the lookout for more information
average temperature in Charlotte
about the 2022-2025 Strategic Plan
in early October is a sunny 75-80
soon!
degrees so it should be beautiful. It’s
Being a part of NMEDA, first on a
also the perfect time of year to visit
committee, then as a Rep at Large on
with the leaves beginning to change
the Board and now on the Executive
colors.
Committee has been one of the most
It seems like yesterday we were all in Columbus, and now in just three short months we will be back together in Charlotte for the 2022 NMEDA Annual Conference. When Danny Langfield
Programming The Conference Committee & NMEDA
asked me to write the officer’s
Staff has been hard at work planning
message for this Circuit Breaker issue
some ALL NEW for 2022 programs
(affectionately called the “Conference
including a Sales Learning Track by
Issue”), he thought I was uniquely
Paul Webb (seats are limited so if
qualified as a North Carolinian who
you’re interested in this track—sign
lived in Charlotte for over 10 year
up today!) and Industry Roundtable
and a member of the Conference
Discussions (moderated discussions
8
NMEDA Circuit Breaker
to win some of the amazing items donated by our NMEDA Exhibitors and Partners. Stay tuned for more details.
rewarding experiences in my mobility career. I am so glad so many new faces have raised their hands to be on committees this year, and I hope some of you will consider running for Board Positions next year. If you didn’t get a chance to volunteer for this year, don’t worry Danny will be reaching out again soon for volunteers for 2023. ---
