by Ranger Kidwell-Ross, Executive Director World Sweeping Association
We couldn’t be more excited about bringing the first manufacturer-independent national conference and tradeshow to the sweeping industry! Although such an event has been a topic of conversation among contractors and others for many years, the daunting enormity of the task has kept such an event from happening. Until now.
This first-year event is being made possible by the support of the World Sweeping Association’s Advisory Board – especially from the Sweeper Roundup’s host contractor, Gale Holsman of American Sweeping, Inc. All sweeping contractors, manufacturers and suppliers are invited to attend the WSA Sweeper Roundup this coming September 15-17th in Kansas City.As you will see below, the agenda is set for a tax-deductible event emphasizing both education and fun. To help us in our planning, if you sign up prior to June 30th you will get the best possible deal on attendance; $99/person for WSA Member company representatives and $149/person for non-WSA attendees. You will find below a schedule of our planned events and other details.
To get any questions answered, please let me know via email sent to director@worldsweepingpros.org or by calling on my direct line, 360.724.7355 (9-5, Pacific Time Zone). Note that a number of organizations – including sweeping companies – have become Sweeper Roundup sponsors by contributing $2,000 toward event expenses. All proceeds will go toward funding the World Sweeping Association’s Memorial Scholarship Fund!
Opening Night Event: Contractors will be bused from their hotel to our opening night event, which will take place at a local area restaurant. There will be a no-host bar and a special screening of the 2002 episode of The Learning Channel’s “Junkyard Wars” television show. The episode featured the building of two street sweepers using junkyard parts. These
The episode pitted a team of ‘gearheads’ led by former Elgin Sweepers’ engineer, Brian Giles, against a similar team led by Schwarze Industries’ vice-president, Jim Adair. Gale Holsman, our Roundup host contractor, acted as judge for the entertaining and often hilarious show. Click here if you want to review WorldSweeper.com’s coverage of that event.
Depending upon interest, we will arrange availability of a tour of attractions in the Kansas City area. There is a spot on the signup form for spouses to indicate if they might be interested in participating, for a nominal additional charge, during the day on Saturday.
Educational Seminar Sessions: On Saturday morning, starting at 8am, we will offer a series of four seminars in two different timeslots, 8am – 9:30 and 10am – 11:30. These are:
8am – 9:30am
• Building a Foundation for Sweeping Company Profitability presented by Gale Holsman, President of American Companies (30+ years experience)
• Marketing in the 21st Century presented by Ranger Kidwell-Ross, Editor of WorldSweeper.com and Director of WSA (29 years experience) and Shannon Holsman, marketing manager, American Sweeping, Inc. (30+ years experience) 10am – 11:30am • Maintenance to Minimize Downtime and Maximize Vehicle Longevity presented by Melvin Cason, ASCE-Certified Technician, Clean Sweep, Inc. (40+ years experience) • Maximizing Profit by Leveraging Existing Customers presented by Michael Nawa, president of Custom Maintenance Services, Inc. (30+ years experience) and Warren Burge, co-owner of Clean Sweep, Inc. (30+ years experience)The Roundup’s evening event will be held in a country setting at the rural Holsman Stables. Attendees will be bused from their hotels to the venue, at which there will be a live band, sweepers on display, a campfire and hayrides. At this event prizes for the Rodeo winners (and big losers…) will be presented and attendees should expect a number of other fun surprises – including a reprise of “The Sweeper Band.”
Although attendees may stay as late as they’d like, the band will quit at 10pm. Buses will be available throughout the evening to take people back-and-forth to their hotel.
We couldn’t be more excited about organizing the first-ever, independent power sweeping conference, WSA’s 2017 Sweeper Roundup. Here is your signup link that includes a link for reserving accommodations at the Roundup’s host hotel, Holiday Inn Express. We have negotiated room rates with them for just $99 to $109/night.
Although organized by the World Sweeping Association, we would not be able to offer attendance for such a low amount if it weren’t for all of the following sweeping industry companies. There’s still time to join us as a sponsor: Remember, all proceeds will benefit the WSA’s Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Consider this your ‘engraved invitation’ to attend America’s first-ever independent power sweeping conference. You know this is an event that people will talk about for years to come and you know you’ll want to be there!
If you want to attend, now is the time to go to our Sweeper Roundup Signup Page in order to qualify for our early-bird rates. To get any questions answered, please contact the WSA office via email sent to director@worldsweepingpros.org or by calling on my direct line, 360.724.7355 (9-5, Pacific Time Zone).
If you’re a contractor then there is also no better time to join the World Sweeping Association. Here is where you can review the many benefits of WSA membership.Good Sweeping,
Executive Director, World Sweeping Association
Editor, WorldSweeper.com