In spite of record setting frigid temperatures, approximately 60 exhibit industry stalwarts traveled to the Itasca Country Club on Thursday, February 19 for the Midwest EDPA Chapter’s inaugural meeting of 2015. Besides the networking opportunities, the chapter meeting gave attendees a chance to digest two of the most important research initiatives conducted by EDPA: The State of the Industry Report and the Pulse Survey. This research was presented at EDPA ACCESS in December 2014, and fortunately for the Midwest chapter, the two ACCESS presenters are chapter members and were able to reprise their presentations.
Dan Greene, managing partner of Nolan Advisory Services, reviewed the state of the industry report, drawing interesting comparisons between the 2014 findings and those from 1968. This report is derived from the participation of EDPA members who report on the actual state of their businesses–everything from cost of goods and wages to mark-ups and sales mix. More information is available from the EDPA national office, including how to be a participating company.
Just as at ACCESS, Dan was followed by Matt Fortney, vice president and general manager, Group Delphi, who presented the cumulative findings of the 2014 Pulse Surveys. The quarterly Pulse Surveys literally take the “pulse” of the industry, Segmenting responses by the type of company (designer, producer, labor, AV, etc.) and company revenues, the Pulse Survey queries participants on issues such as bid situations and key performance indicators (kpis) such as number of customers invoiced, margins, dollar value per sale, and receivables. The survey then asks about partipants’ “gut feelings” about the industry, which recently have become increasingly positive. Matt who is the passionate curator of the Pulse Survey suggested that anyone not on the list to receive the quarterly emails contact Melissa Nemitz at mnemitz@edpa.com.
Happy Year of the Sheep! Because the meeting was occurring on the Chinese New Year, dinner reflected the spirit of the season! The Midwest chapter also announced its meeting schedule for 2015.
For more information, contact program director, Cathy Kolf, at ckolf@dslgroup.com.
