NATM 2019 Convention & Trade Show Recap

Lane McNeil

Events Coordinator | Lane.McNeil@natm.com

NATM 2019 Convention & Trade Show Recipients
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NATM hosted its 31st annual Convention & Trade Show in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Feb. 19-21. In addition to educational workshops, networking receptions and the trade show, the Association presented multiple awards including the Associate Member of the Year, Green Manufacturing Award, Young Professional of the Year, and the Outstanding Member Award at the Membership Luncheon.
 
Delta Manufacturing, Inc. was awarded the NATM Green Manufacturing Award to recognize their innovative solutions of trailer manufacturing with reduced impact on the environment. PPG, Optronics International, The Carlstar Group, LaVanture Products Company, and Kenda/Americana Tire & Wheel sponsored this award bringing the total donation to $6,750. Ron Yarnell, OEM Sales Manager of PPG, assisted NATM President Patrick Jennissen with the presentation of the award and check to Delta who generously selected St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital to receive the $6,750 contribution.
 
NATM presented the Regular Member NATM Outstanding Young Professional Award to Daniel Luby of BoatMateTrailers. This award is given to recognize the accomplishments of an individual 40-years old or younger who have been innovative and successful in the trailer manufacturing industry. In 2012, Luby started with BoatMate as Project Engineer and during his time there, he served as a liaison with engineers from OEM boat companies, helped develop a dealer direct sales network throughout the US and Canada, designed the heavy-duty pontoon trailer line brought to market in 2016. Daniel took on the role of Production Manager in 2018 along with his project engineering duties and he is an active participant in NATM’s Convention and Technology Committees.
 
NATM presented the Associate (Supplier) Member NATM Outstanding Young Professional Award to Stacey Miller of Dexter. Miller serves as the Brand and Communications Director at Dexter and has been increasingly involved with NATM, serving as the point of contact for most Dexter companies and participating on the NATM Convention Committee. She will be serving as the NATM Chairperson for the Marketing Committee in 2019.
 
The Outstanding Associate Member Award is presented each year to an individual from a supplier member company who has made a significant contribution to the trailer manufacturing industry. This year’s recipient, Bernie Goettker of UPF, has been in the trailer industry for nearly 40 years. He developed dozens of new products in the trailer industry and has been awarded 18 patents. Bernie has been active in both NATM, joining in 2001, and NMMA for several decades and has served on several committees, including the NATM Technical Committee as well as on educational panels sharing his expertise. He has been a regular supporter of the NATM Convention both through sponsorship and exhibition.
 
The Outstanding Regular Member Award is presented to an individual who has made outstanding contributions to NATM and the trailer manufacturing industry. This year’s recipient, Chris Steinman of MGS Incorporated, has been involved in the trailer industry for more than 25 years and he has been on the NATM Board of Directors since 2011. He chaired the NATM Technical Committee multiple times and later served as a member of the same committee. His thoughtful approach, strict adherence to the mission of trailer safety, and strong understanding of federal regulations and engineering practices made him an invaluable member of both his committee and the Board.

About the 2019 NATM Convention & Trade Show

The beautiful sunny weather in Florida was on NATM’s side this year with a total of 1027 in attendance. The trade show also included more trailer manufacturing companies than 2017 and the sold-out trade show included 43 new exhibitors giving all attendees plenty of opportunities to do business.
 
One 2019 exhibitor said, “The NATM show is a great opportunity to meet with a group of our existing customers in one place. Well worth our time and expense. We will be back next year.”
 
NATM educational workshops also boasted high attendance numbers as members enjoyed topics such as Recruiting & Retention Strategies, Trailer Brakes and Suspensions, an update on NATM’s proposed Association Health Plan, and Arc Welding Robotics to list a few. The Keynote Speaker Vince Poscente was powerful yet hilarious and engaging to help kick off a successful week. Attendees also enjoyed fireworks and great food during the Closing Celebration hosted at Disney’s Epcot. The show literally ended with a bang!
 
Thank you to the attendees, exhibitors and especially to NATM’s sponsors. The NATM Convention & Trade Show would not be possible without the support of its generous sponsors. We appreciate you!
 
Mark those calendars for Feb. 11-13, 2020. NATM looks forward to seeing you next year! Viva Las Vegas!
 
For more information about the Convention & Trade Show, contact NATM Events Coordinator Lane McNeil at Lane.McNeil@natm.com or call (785) 272-4433.