Retail Observer

RETAILOBSERVER.COM JANUARY 2023 64 S E R V I C E D E P A R T M E N T B ack in late September, nearly 400 appliance service industry professionals gathered at the Rosen Plaza Hotel in Orlando as PSA once again hosted their annual convention. This event took place after the 2020 and 2021 events had to be canceled as a result of the COVID pandemic. It was a good and very busy week- starting Sunday with classes and certification testing, opening up Monday with a full day of technical training and business/management classes, with more on Tuesday and Wednesday, along with a bustling trade show, a great banquet dinner and keynote address by Jeremiah Webb of Shop On Fire, and the popular prize drawing following. The 2022 convention closed with more classes on Thursday morning, as our guests headed out of town and worked to apply everything they had learned to their own business and careers. This is very much what we had experienced in the past 31 years of PSA conventions… and you know what? It felt good! It felt good to see a big group chatting and dining together at the opening breakfast. It felt good to see people mingling in the halls during break times- having a cup of coffee together and discussing their business challenges and opportunities. Having an adult beverage in the bar area after the day's sessions, unwinding and having a great time with their peers. Maybe heading out for dinner at one of the many restaurants and clubs that surrounded the Rosen Plaza, or just sitting outside and shooting the breeze 'with people they had met during the day. And doing it all in person. Not on a video screen. This year really brought that home. After not being able to have the event for the past 2 years, including the surprise late-breaking cancellation in 2021, we were not really sure what to expect. After a couple years of virtual meetings, would the industry come back to live training? Would the manufacturers be in a position to support it, and would the rest of the many facets of the convention take part in the trade show and other events? The answer was a resounding YES! There seemed to be a real appetite for the live events, and it looks like all of our guests took full advantage of the opportunity. Impediments remain… costs are going up, just like they are in all aspects of our life. Inflation continues to run hot. Fuel prices and even supply fluctuate widely. There remains a serious shortage of technicians that make it tough for businesses to send their people to the industry events. But the benefits may outweigh these factors. The very best training is live- face to face and hands on. The importance of getting together with others in your industry cannot be ignored. Like anything else, you get out of it what you pout into it, and the folks that attended the Orlando convention definitely put a lot into it. They will be better technicians, business people, and professional representatives of our industry. Thanks also to the vendors and manufacturers that took part. After a couple years of not being able to get out and travel, they showed up in force and did a great job! It was wonderful to get a chance to renew acquaintances and spend time with everyone, and we look forward to 2023. PSA will hold the 2023 convention at the Westgate Resort in Las Vegas September 25-28, 2023. We expect another great turnout and look forward to seeing our friends next fall! Until then, stay safe and stay busy! PSA'S ORLANDO CONVENTION SHOWS "LIVE IS BETTER! " RO Randy Carney- Executive Director- PSA

• Cover