
Fuse Alliance Members and Suppliers Come Together in San Diego
Fuse Alliance held its annual conference March 6-8, 2013 at the historic U.S. Grant Hotel in Downtown San Diego, California. The group hosted 154 attendees including 86 member attendees and 21 supplier companies represented by 68 company representatives.
Executive director, Ron Lee kicked off the meeting stating “2012 was a year of negative news and positive results.” He went on to discuss the issues facing small businesses today such as onerous regulations, cash flow, attracting and retaining employees, reinvesting for growth and planning for succession. He discussed “solving these challenges requires knowledge. Knowledge is core, but when partnered with collaboration, real answers and progress are possible. Collaboration is high integrity energy that seeks clarity, teamwork and forward progress.” He went on to say “by our cooperative platform we operate within, we have the structure and format to collaborate.” He shared the importance of working together; members and suppliers, members with other members and Fuse Alliance with both members and suppliers and announced that the meeting agenda has been designed to give the attendees the opportunity to spend as much time together as possible. He also laid out the organization's initiatives for the coming year.
· Expanding FuseUSA, Fuse United Service Alliance, the organization’s program to support and service national accounts. The group has tapped Geoff Gordon, President of SCS Systems and formerly of Designweave to lead this endeavor. Geoff will be joining the Fuse Alliance team as Senior Vice President Business Development.
· Fuse Alliance will add 50 new service associates to provide coverage to areas not currently serviced by the group.
· Fuse Alliance has developed a selection of co-branded products with the organization's preferred suppliers. Additionally, Fuse will provide knowledge and collateral to support healthy market segments offering members opportunities in new areas where they may not currently be focused. During the presentation of these new initiatives, Kris Keller, vice president of marketing and member services communicated that these programs will be an extension of the existing marketing collateral and Fuse University offerings from Fuse Alliance.
· Expand and grow the ecommerce distribution offering currently available to Fuse Alliance members.
During Wednesday evening’s reception among the supplier tradeshow, Fuse members participated in a networking activity to see which team could build the tallest newspaper tower using only 20 sheets of newspaper and a roll of scotch tape. The entrepreneurial and competitive spirit of the group was reflected in the resulting innovation and designs.
Over the course of the two day meeting, additional sessions included an industry panel with representatives from Fuse Alliance Preferred Suppliers, technical/moisture update with industry experts, George Donnelly of George Donnelly Testing & Inspections and Sim Crisler of LGM and Associates. The FuseUSA program where Geoff Gordon shared with members the future plans for this program and how his involvement will provide new business opportunities for member companies.
The leadership session with our resident leadership guru, Mike Moore continues to provide insightful ways to facilitate necessary change in our member’s businesses to strengthen their foundations and increase profits.
Member success stories - Fuse Alliance members Jeff Fulk of Brock Contract Services, Benjy Faulkner of Faulkner Flooring and Fuse board member Bob Pollock of Continental Interiors shared the secrets of their success during the recent challenging years. Bob Pollock shared how making hard decisions such as reducing staff and taking accounting functions in-house contributed to his company's best year in 2012 in the even more challenging market of Detroit, Michigan.
Succession planning was the topic shared by Jeff Fulk. Jeff shared how he and his brother in law, Damon Brock approached his father in law, to purchase the business ensuring both parties an equitable solution. Jeff also shared how shopping their banking relationship contributed to their success.
During Thursday evening’s awards & recognition dinner, Fuse Alliance recognized members and suppliers for their outstanding support and participation.
Fuse Alliance Member Awards:
Fuse Spirit Award McCoy Workplace Solutions - Rockford Business Interiors & McCoy
(Top Member Award) Floor Covering – (photo provided from left to right
Elizabeth Greenman, president Rockford Business Interiors
Ken Daniels, vice president, Fuse Alliance
Cotton Carlson, president McCoy-Rockford, Inc.
Ron Lee, executive director, Fuse Alliance
Communication Award Golden State Carpet Service, Inc.
Reporting & Follow Up Award Messina Floor Covering, Inc.
Unit Design, Inc.
Loyalty Award Business Flooring Specialists
Floors, Inc.
ReSource Arizona
Ecollect Flooring Resources Corporation
Flooring Systems
Fuse Alliance Preferred Supplier Awards– Based on member survey results.
Supplier of the Year Johnsonite – (photo provided pictured from left to right
(Top Supplier Award) Carmen Pastore, executive vice president Johnsonite
Ron Lee, executive director Fuse Alliance)
Best Product Johnsonite
Best Service XL Brands
Best Support Mohawk Group
Ron Lee took this occasion to recognize a special friend and partner of Fuse, Carmen Pastore of Johnsonite. “Over the last 20 plus years Carmen has inspired all of us in his colorful yet gentlemanly manner, I have learned so much from him,” said Ron Lee. The entire room stood to toast this industry leader who will be genuinely missed as her retires from Johnsonite.
The meeting wrapped Friday morning with a member-only session where members interacted with each other and the Fuse Alliance board. Many expressed positive feedback regarding the previous day’s sessions and excitement for the programs and initiatives for the coming year.