Listen in as Joey Smith, Chad Twombly, Mark Harries, Sydney Price, and Matt Clark give a recap of USINFI Advocacy Days held on March 4-5 in Washington D.C. Day one included introductory meetings, while day two focused on meetings with elected representatives and legislative staff. New attendees Sydney Price and Matt Clark shared their experiences. They also mentioned that many of the representatives wanted to hear what they had to say, making the event a success. Another part of this discussion included the upcoming Outlook Conference, scheduled for June 2-4 in Green Bay, WI, at Lambeau Field.  

Listen in as Charlene Clark interviews Chris Ritsema, Travis Jenkins, and Scott Neville as they provide valuable insight into succession planning and the long-term success of a business. They discuss how they got their start – whether through acquisition, external purchase, or as long-term employees. They also talk about the must haves when it comes to acquiring and keeping businesses going, and emphasize the importance of retention strategies that keep employees happy and contribute to profitability. They further highlight the need for staying informed and prepared, whether it’s through having solid standard operating procedures (SOPs), effective training materials, or clear exit and transition plans. All these elements are key to ensuring your business remains adaptable and profitable for years to come.

During the Marine Fabricators Conference in Corpus Christi, Kyle Van Damme sat down with David and Barbara Huntington to talk about doing canvas work for boaters vacationing in the 1000 island region. Barbara shares about her start in the quilting industry, and how the love of boating led the Huntingtons to the marine canvas trade. They touch on their business plan, how they fabricate and making the business work as a husband-and-wife team through homing in on their fabrication skills and separating out their marine canvas work. They also share about encouraging the next generation to enter the trade and their future exit strategy.

Listen in as Mark Harries, Joey Smith, and Chad Twombly discuss the 2025 Advocacy Days held on March 4-5 in Washington, DC. They will discuss their own experiences participating and how being involved has helped them within their companies. In addition, they will discuss why it is important for members to be part of advocacy efforts, who should participate, and highlight the work that our USINFI consultants do on our behalf.