Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/850474
6 FEDA News & Views Industry Insights Member-Driven Strategic Plan Will Target Channel Unity and Dealer Advocacy Tracy Mulqueen, CAE FEDA Deputy Executive Vice President W hat an honor to be selected to serve as FEDA's next executive vice president! I truly appreciate the opportunity to work on behalf of so many successful companies that have been built by generations of exceptional family leaders. I promise to provide this organization and its members the high- est level of service and support that I possibly can. I am truly enjoy- ing working with the executive commit- tee, board of direc- tors, members, and our beloved cur- rent Executive Vice President, Ray Herrick, to move FEDA toward supporting dealers in new and innovative ways. I also especially appreciate the warm welcome and helpful guidance I received from dealers, manu- facturers, and other partners during the 2017 FEDA Convention. In addition to learning a lot about how the channel works (and sometimes doesn't work), I heard one theme emerge from my con- versations with members. Dealers clearly want FEDA to play a much stronger advocacy role on behalf of dealer-based distribution, and right now they most need FEDA to support them as they face industry-changing challenges like the growth of direct selling. Members also want FEDA to involve young industry professionals in guiding FEDA's priorities and activities going for- ward. I had the great pleasure of talk- ing with about a dozen of these young people during the convention and it was clear that FEDA will gain tremendously from their intelligence, maturity, innova- tive thinking, and energy. I will soon be working with new- member focus groups made up of large, midsize and small dealers, and young professionals who will provide their insights on what FEDA's advocacy pri- orities should be, as well as provide sug- gestions for strengthening our industry for the future. These groups can provide year-round feedback as FEDA plans its stra- tegic and operational work. Also, to serve FEDA members in the most effi cient way possi- ble, you will soon see the Association use a signifi cantly higher level of technology and communication, including new state- of-the-art engage- ment management software that offers m e m b e r - m a n a g e d profi le and payment services, confer- ence and educational services informa- tion and registration, interactive industry groups, and integrated digital marketing. The anticipated launch date for FEDA's new website and associated software is September 15, 2017. To map out all of these efforts, the Executive Committee is currently work- ing with the FEDA staff to complete a member-driven strategic plan that out- lines creative and measurable initiatives to advance the needs of dealers, includ- ing uniting dealers around a common advocacy agenda, addressing growing concerns related to direct selling, and preparing our next generation of leaders for industry success. Implementation of this plan will begin in 2018. continued on page 32 I will soon be working with new-member focus groups made up of large, midsize and small dealers, and young professionals who will provide their insights on what FEDA's advocacy priorities should be.