The 2009 PSAI Convention & Trade Show will be held in Ontario, Calif., Nov. 4-7. Why should this concern you and why should you go? Maybe the question you should ask, if you’re in the portable sanitation industry, is, “Why am I not going?’’
We are in an industry that has made great strides and yet the general public does not respect the service we provide. We work hard to ensure we’re providing a service to the best of our ability and yet contractors and special event coordinators turn a blind-eye to employee and public needs. There are minimum regulation requirements and yet some regulators don’t and/or won’t enforce the law. We offer a good wage and yet we can’t get or keep good employees. We “bid” on all these events and yet the job always seems to go to the other company.
Most of us in this industry know these problems all too well. We deal with them on a day-to-day basis. What might be missing is the opportunity to address these issues. Here’s your chance to bounce ideas off another operator, listen and learn how similar problems have been solved or get an understanding of how to “market” and “educate” contractors, special event coordinators and enforcement regulators. It’s your chance to combine education with viewing products and services for our industry.
Portable sanitation operating companies have been attending PSAI shows for 38 years. These business owners, large and small, have come to understand the importance of attending and bringing their employees. These individuals have taken the opportunity provided by the association for this industry to learn, to network and to succeed.
All it takes is one new idea or one new change implemented in your company that can make the difference between a good year and a great year. The question might then become: “Why didn’t I go?’’
We have great workshops and roundtable discussions planned for attendees:
Thursday, Nov. 5
9-10 a.m., Managing the Cash Flow Crisis, presented by Gene Siciliano
“I have plenty of business but never enough cash coming in!” Siciliano will show you how to discover the five biggest cash drains on your business and how to fix them, keep late-paying clients from putting you in the red and the five ways to encourage customers to pay on time, stop wasting cash on inventory that moves too slowly, which short-term credit options you should use if you’re short on cash, and what to do when you don’t have enough to cover payroll.
10-11 a.m., Economy’s Slow — Now What? Presented by George Hedley
The 18 shots you must take now! As the economy slows, your same old business model won’t work. Are you stuck doing the same things and don’t know what to do next? Or, are you ready to profit from today’s challenges and opportunities? Learn how to adjust and take advantage of the ever-changing construction market. Identify positive trends and make the necessary changes required to take your business to the next level in any economy. Learn what works now and what doesn’t work anymore. Rework your finances and rebuild your profit margin. Re-analyze your equipment, re-energize your people and revolutionize your marketing and sales. Presented by a successful general contractor and popular professional speaker in a fast-paced, fun and enthusiastic style.
Roundtable Discussions
Sessions 1:30-2:15 p.m., 2:15-3 p.m., 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Roundtable topics allow owner/operators, management, service technicians and office personnel to discuss industry-specific issues as they pertain to the day-to-day operation of a portable sanitation business. Informational and/or handout material may be available per individual topic of discussion. Topics include cost of doing business/getting your price, creating a service tech of the year package, holding onto your customers/focus on service, not price, HR requirements: determining layoffs and deciding who, partnership/family owners: how to make them work; safety & injury prevention, sales & marketing, taking advantage of the “green” issue.
Friday, Nov. 6
8-9 a.m., Building Leaders at All Levels, presented by Jodi Walker
Leadership can make or break any organization. Learn skills to inspire greatness and build leaders at all levels. Create the dynamics that enable your team to build on their strengths to tap into creative business solutions. Gain insights for better communication, new ways to build trust and a collaborative team dedicated to excellence.
1-2:30 p.m., Understanding Your True Cost — G & A (Open Workshop), panel discussion moderated by Lee Sola
This is Part 2 in a series on industry cost analysis. The panel discussion will be presented by successful portable sanitation operators outlining the ingredients necessary to fully understand all costs associated with a portable sanitation business. The goal is to give the operator a step-by-step procedure and the “reason” behind expenditure tracking. Cost per service will be discussed and will be part of Cost Analysis Breakdown forms provided.
Saturday, Nov. 7
9-10 a.m., Truck Configuration (Open Workshop), panel discussion moderated by Hank Vanderveen
The workshop is programmed to provide an overall view on the new fuel emissions rule for 2010 trucks. The workshop will incorporate a breakdown of different portable sanitation truck features and options based on company size, state and/or area safety requirements, waste disposal facility requirements, geographic location, etc. The educational workshop will not promote a particular product or manufacturer.
Roundtable Discussion
Session: 3:30-5 p.m.
Roundtable topics allow discussion of industry-specific issues as they pertain to the day-to-day operation of a portable sanitation operation by company size.
A FINAL WORD
We hope to see you in Ontario, Calif. Visit our Web site, www.psai.org, for additional information on PSAI and our upcoming 2009 Ontario Convention & Trade Show.
Millicent Carroll handles industry standards, regulatory and marketing issues for the Portable Sanitation Association International.
