Well I am sorry you feel that way, next year the symposium will be in Denver, and oh by the way we had members from Sweden come to Portland, so dont tell me you were to far away.
Also, the event was centered around the new Fisher plant that was just opened in Maine, Fisher is a very large contributor to SIMA and some consideration was given to them regarding the location for year 3.
For the previous two years it was held in Pittsburg, and that was much closer to you, and priceline.com can get discount tickets to fly anywhere. Yes I have been lucky, I have driven to the symposiums thus far, but I will book a flight to Denver next year. have you ever been to Maine, some of the most beutifull land God created, so see it before you trash it.
Since you are so well versed in all apects of snow removal, I would have to agree with you that you dont need SIMA. You obviously know it all, and could never benifit from anything I or anyone else would say. I never present myself as an expert in snow removal, all I do is pass along what I have learned, and hope it helps someone. If it doesnt help you, well you know best.
the two or three binders you recieved and member discounts wont help you either, since they dont relate to how you plow snow. New methods of ice control doesnt relate to you either since where you are from ice and snow melts differently.
And when I have I ever said that I cant learn from anyone else, please by all means impart your wisdome to me.
Have you seen the video, if not, then why do trash it, and if so, perhaps you could impart some new ideas to help with the next one.
There are members of SIMA that do well over a million in snow removal a year, one with less than 6" on season. If a conversation with that person doesnt shed some light on how to better manage your own company than you surely know it all.
John Allin who recently started posting here, has snow removal down to an art. he understands and teaches how to put an effective snow removal and responce operation into place. Pick his brain for ideas. these are the quality people you meet with. If none of that matters, then you are truly all set in snow removal. One thing that I must point out, in these other trade shows, how many of your fellow members do you really know. Not many, 1000's of people walking around, bumping into you, and you never really get to say hi.At the SIMA symposium, it is really personal, most people know each other by name and small round table discusions are everywhere. i persoanlly get more from that, then anything else. the SIMA management is top notch, and will do everything possible to help you out. I can say that with out a doubt, the exec director tammy and Peggy are 2 of the biggest reasons I respect SIMA so much. Call Tammy, see if she can help you.
From your tone in this thread, I doubt anything will change your mind, and I for my part have probably just wasted a 1/2 hr of my time, but I do so because I think SIMA is worth it, and if I will give my time to something than it must be a good idea. AND THAT IS AS TANGABLE AS IT GETS
CLASS DISMISSED
DINO