You're Missing Out
This past Wednesday and Thursday, September 23rd and 24th, I had the opportunity to attend the New Jersey Movers Association Annual Convention at the Tropicana in Atlantic City, this time from a new perspective, as a member of the Board.
Although I have been in the moving industry for many years, it had been more than 20 years since I attended an NJMA Annual Convention. After spending two days there, my biggest takeaway is simple:
If you are a New Jersey mover and you are not attending the annual convention, you are missing out.
Our industry has changed tremendously over the past 20 years, and that was on full display at this year's convention. Vendors showcased products and services designed specifically to help moving companies operate more efficiently, improve the customer experience, be more profitable and stay competitive.
We saw state-of-the-art moving software, AI-powered phone assistants, third-party services, innovative packaging solutions, insurance products, fleet tracking software solutions, and other tools that are changing the way moving companies do business. Whether you operate a small family-owned company or a larger moving and storage operation, there was something there that you are missing and will make your business better.
The speaker sessions were equally valuable and focused on topics that directly affect movers today. We heard practical strategies for increasing moving sales, improving the way moving companies present themselves online through better website design, and using social media more effectively to increase visibility and stay in front of potential customers.
What I appreciated most was that these were not generic business topics. The conversations were specific to the moving industry and addressed the challenges we face when trying to generate leads, convert more estimates into booked moves, build trust with customers, and stand out in a very competitive marketplace.
But for me, some of the greatest value wasn't found at a vendor booth or during a presentation.
It was in the conversations.
Having the opportunity to sit down and talk with fellow New Jersey movers is invaluable. We may technically be competitors, but we also face many of the same challenges every day, hiring and retaining employees, controlling costs, managing crews, improving operations, keeping up with technology, navigating regulations, and figuring out how to continue growing in an ever-changing industry.
Being able to ask another mover, "How are you handling this?" and hear how they approach the same problem in their business can be worth the trip alone.
Those conversations remind us that the NJMA is more than an association. It is a community of business owners and professionals who understand this industry because they live it every day.
As a new Board member, attending this year's convention also gave me a renewed appreciation for the work that goes into bringing our industry together. After being away from the convention for more than two decades, I walked away wondering why I had waited so long to come back.
So, from this Board member's perspective, my message to fellow New Jersey movers is simple: Get involved. Show up. Ask questions. Meet the vendors. Talk to other movers. The information, relationships, ideas, and resources are there. You just have to be in the room.
Best Always,
Lindsay Sanborn
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