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04/01/2007
From the NATE Office
I always look forward to April arriving. One obvious reason is that with nearly two-and-a-half feet of new snow dropped on Watertown last week, spring may actually be here by April. Another reason I’m happy to see April is this is the month I review the NATE Annual Conference & Exposition in my monthly column. Writing about NATE’s annual event has become a favorite task of mine because the shows have become synonymous with excellence. This year was certainly no exception.
I will remember NATE 2007 as one of my favorite annual events of all time, and that is really saying something. Here are just a few reasons why this year’s show was one of the best ever.
The Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health, Edwin G. Foulke, Jr., addressed NATE members via speakerphone. Winter storms prevented his flight from leaving Washington, D.C., but Ed Foulke could not have been more gracious and helpful in setting up an alternative means to speak to NATE Members. His perspective on how we can work together to affect safety was a highlight of the event, as was his announcement that he will join us again next year in Orlando. NATE could not be more appreciative of the generosity Ed Foulke demonstrated, and on behalf of the entire association, I offer our sincere thanks for his involvement. The Assistant Secretary’s comments can be found on page 10 of this Tower Times.
Virtually every educational session was “standing room only”, despite the fact that NATE increased the available seating for this year’s sessions after last year’s packed rooms. A combination of remarkable speakers, NATE members dedicated to learning, and another outstanding job by the NATE Trade Show Committee in selecting session topics, provided sessions of incomparable value. The feedback I received indicated the sessions were consistently high caliber events. My thanks to everyone involved in this process.
NATE filled a record amount of trade show floor space this year, and the exhibits were extraordinary. I don’t know how to convey the pride I feel over being part of this event, but the quality of the exhibits this year was something to behold. Those exhibitors I spoke with again told me that NATE is the best show they attend, both in terms of organization, and the value to their company.
One of the key roles of each trade show is the support received from our sponsors. NATE was again remarkably fortunate to have generous underwriters providing the financial support to guarantee a quality, successful show. Please take the time to review the sponsors on pages 22 and 28, and remember their contributions to NATE all year.
I also want to thank all attendees for making the show such a success, including those NATE Voting Members who took the time to attend this year’s Voting Member session. The time you dedicate to your association is greatly appreciated.
OSHA again provided free tower-specific safety training at this year’s show, and NATE members participated in record numbers. OSHA’s presence on the trade show floor as a component of the NATE/OSHA National Partnership was also greatly appreciated, as officials from Nashville and Washington, D.C., along with regulars Rob Medlock and Jocko Vermillion from the Cleveland Area Office, provided answers to questions members had about safety and regulations.
One of the most important segments of each year’s show is one that goes largely unnoticed -- that being the Board of Directors and Committee meetings. The volunteer leadership NATE has come to depend on continues to be one of the highpoints in each year’s show. For all the meetings you attend, the conference calls you make, and all the work in between that leads to NATE’s success, thank you all very much!
Extraordinary effort is evident in all NATE Committees, but the hard work displayed by the Trade Show Committee in pulling together this year’s excellent event deserves special mention. To Ken Meador and the entire committee, thank you for your relentless efforts resulting in yet another outstanding show.
And finally, I want to thank the NATE Administrative Staff for another year of unsurpassed dedication. Paula, Carol, Deb, Shelly, Corene and Jodi each outdid themselves this year. Their determination to ensure our members have a show based on excellence is a hallmark of the annual event. I cannot say enough about the character and hard work they bring to the Association.
Before you know it, we’ll be doing this all again. I look forward to seeing you in Orlando for NATE 2008. Until then, put what we have learned together to good use. Stay safe!
Patrick Howey is the NATE Executive Director. He can be reached at 888-882-5865 or patrick@natehome.com
Patrick Howey
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