June 14, 2022 Message to the Membership

It’s happening again. Although not on quite the same pace as it did last year – when we held all four of our major events within an 11-week window – but still, we are experiencing some overlap with a couple of our major events this year.?

And although I’m more than happy?not?to talk about it anymore, I feel compelled to point out that this uncomfortable feeling is once again being caused by our good, ol’ buddy, the COVID.?

As I’ve explained a few times, whether it be in this space or at the podium during one of our events, we are moving our Business Builder Awards presented by Nutrien back to its rightful place in March. But in order to do so, we are holding it nine months apart in each of 2022 and 2023; from November of ’21 to June of ’22, and again from June of ’22 to March of ’23.?

To clarify, that means that we’re holding it – for the first and, hopefully only time – in June of this year. More specifically, just over a week from now.?

Well for those of you paying attention, we are also announcing, as of today, who the Star of this year’s Popcorn and Entrepreneurship Series presented by EY is… George Reddekopp, of Grandwest Enterprises!?

And as excited as we are to be unveiling this, because it’s the launching point for getting ticket sales going for Popcorn and so on – because this is its normal time to do so – we are causing some internal angst with this announcement.?

The challenge is that these are two of our biggest, most ambitious, logistically challenging and time-consuming events from a planning perspective, and they’re overlapping in a way that we’re not really accustomed to, no matter what 2021 threw at us.?

You know that gnarling feeling in the pit of your stomach you get when stressed out about something? (At least that’s my physiological reaction to stress – well, one of them… who am I kidding, there’s a bunch of them. But this is the one that’s predominant today.) Well, that feeling has taken root in our office as we sort through the logistics of managing two such intricate and detail-oriented events simultaneously.?

‘Well, what’s the problem?’ you might be thinking. ‘Business Builders is just about done, and Popcorn is a month and a half away. You’ve got lots of time.’ You’re right about the timing, but for those of you who may not have put on events of this size and magnitude, believe me, there are a lot of moving parts that go into each one. Business Builders is very much a going concern and Popcorn has already been for some time, and now with the release of the movie trailer and online ticket sales, we’re putting them both out into the public realm – simultaneously.?

But the point to all of this is to say that we’ve got two premier business events lined up for you and all you have to do is show up. Well, there’s a little more in it for you if you do just a little bit more than show up. (For instance, if you put your best foot forward, you just might meet your next best client or supplier!) But again, my point is that a lot of work has, and will continue to be, put in for your benefit. But if you don’t partake, we’ll all miss out.??

The beauty of these programs, and of our organization quite frankly, is that we typically have huge member engagement with our events. This is a win-win, as it enables our members, who love to have a good time, to be assured of a room full of opportunity. And in enables our organization, which relies on the revenue generated from our major events, to remain viable.?

And if our planning comes to fruition, this will be the last time that we are presenting them in such a time-crunched manner, just six weeks apart. Next year, for instance, they will be about five months apart (mind you, with a golf tournament thrown in the middle there).?

Finally, for those of you unaware of George Reddekopp, which might be many of you, because he maintains such a low-key presence, I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if he’s the diamond in the rough for us, in that he’ll blow you away with his story, and his business acumen. He’s a former Director of mine here at the NSBA and I’ve known of his story for years. I’ve been dying – OK, that’s an exaggeration, but he’s been asked each and every year since we started this – to convince him to allow us to tell it, and he’s finally consented.??

Whether its Popcorn and Entrepreneurship presented by EY, or the Business Builder Awards presented by Nutrien, you’ll be in for a treat. Do yourselves (and us) a favour by registering. We’ll look after the rest.?

Until next time, be safe, be smart, be considerate, be well, but most of all, be kind.?

Keith Moen?

Executive Director??