Delivering on Our Promises and Making New Ones
The NRLA challenged itself to take giant leaps forward in several areas of critical importance in 2009. Let’s take a look at 2009’s results, and our new goals for 2010.
Last year I informed you that NRLA would “move out of our comfort zone to develop an alternate plan for the LBM Expo.” To that end, the 2010 Expo was the last of 34 consecutive years the LBM Expo was held in Boston.
The show, bearing the theme “Catch the Wave: Are you Ready for the Turnaround?” was tremendous success. From the show floor, education expanded to architects, and new networking events, the show was entirely new. Exhibit sales exceeded expectations, as did the 4% growth in retail attendance (overall attendance was flat) and record breaking attendance at networking events.
In 2011 and 2012, the EXPO will be held at the MGM Grand Hotel at Foxwoods, Conn. There are tremendous benefits that come with this move, including all of your needs met under one roof, lower costs for all, built in entertainment equivalent to that of the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, and built-in infrastructure supporting travel to the Expo.
Our second goal for the year was to turnover every stone to reduce health care costs by launching a pilot health care program allowing members to pool buying power. I am happy to report that on Jan.1, 2010, NRLA launched an association health care program with MVP in New York State, which is backed by a Cigna network. We are very excited about this plan, which, when compared to similar plans offered by other carriers, will save dealers an average of 10% on health care costs. All NRLA member companies based in New York State are eligible to participate.
Third, I told you we would take education “to the next level” by increasing the frequency of online learning. The economy supported this goal because our members are needed in the yard as much as possible and so we quadrupled the number of distance learning initiatives in 2009. In 2010, NRLA’s Lumber and Building Material Dealers Foundation will continue on this track, continuing to increase the number of distance learning opportunities and launching a NEW learning management system called ROOTS. This on-line educational library with hundreds of hours of education will be provided at a very low price, and will deliver the education you need, when you want it.
Fourth, I informed you that NRLA would be working with NYLE, our group of leaders under the age of 40, and local colleges and high schools to create our own workforce development program! I am happy to report that in 2009 NYLE members spoke with approximately 1,000 students about the various positions available in the industry. This was a visionary initiative, and when things pick up, we will have NYLE to thank for all of the work they did to help our industry succeed. In 2010, NYLE and NRLA will continue to work on this valuable initiative to build our newly developed online library of resumes.
In closing, I want to remind you that NRLA is a member-lead organization made successful with the help of the very best staff. With the prudent use of NRLA reserves, all member services will, once again, be maintained and grown in the next fiscal year with Chairman Brad Benson, and his Board of Directors, at the helm. My sincere thanks to Immediate Past President Jay Torrisi, his Board of Directors, and the NRLA staff who are directly responsible for achieving every goal. The goals stated here do not nearly represent the total advancements made in the past year, or all of the plans for 2010, but are a sampling of where we’ve been and where were going.
I look forward to continuing to working with you, the 2009-2010 Board of Directors and the unstoppable NRLA staff in the new fiscal year.
