2020 AMCA Idea Exchange Wrap-Up

by Aaron Gunzner, AMCA Advocacy Manager

Having never attended an AMCA meeting, I was not entirely sure of what to expect when I entered the room for breakfast the first morning of the 2020 AMCA Idea Exchange (formerly AMCA Spring Meetings). What nervousness I had was quickly put to rest, as I was warmly greeted by a number of AMCA members, many of whom were regular attendees because of the great value they said they get out of the event year after year.

Renamed to more accurately capture the spirit of the gathering, AMCA Idea Exchange 2020—held Feb. 24 and 25 at The Linq Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas—was a success. The 44 sales, marketing, human-resources, and manufacturing professionals from AMCA member companies who attended seemed to learn quite a bit from the distinguished speakers, who touched on a variety of topics. At the heart of the presentations was a fresh perspective on aspects of the work AMCA members perform daily. This included:

• Approaching change differently and turning it into progress.
• Improving the storytelling quality of business presentations to aid messaging.
• Building strong and empowered teams.
• Utilizing business data to make more-informed decisions.

I gave a presentation on using AMCA’s successes in the advocacy arena to improve sales and marketing efforts. It being my first solo presentation with AMCA, I hoped to put my best foot forward. The encouragement I received from AMCA members went a long way toward helping me give the best presentation I could. I offer my heartfelt thanks to them.

Through my role in advocacy, I have had quality discussions and had the opportunity to work closely with a number of AMCA members. The event offered an opportunity to put faces with names and voices and to catch up. Those discussions showed to me just how invested and caring the people in this association are and that, to them, theirs is more than “just a job.” Relationships built through the work done in and around the association are special, I learned. AMCA’s staff takes member concerns and requests seriously, wanting to deliver results. The members, in turn, often go above and beyond what is expected of them, volunteering for extra opportunities to help further the association’s goals. AMCA Idea Exchange 2020 was a shining example of that.

AMCA members had positive remarks about the event. Brad Bishop, general manager, Plastec Ventilation Inc., said: “Honestly, it was not only the most informative AMCA event I have attended, but the best conference or seminar I have ever attended. Congratulations to the AMCA team for putting together such a useful two days.”

Away from the conference, attendees participated in a behind-the-scenes tour of T-Mobile Arena, home of the Vegas Golden Knights hockey team; relaxed at a reception at The Wheel House on The Linq Promenade, which offered an up-close view of the High Roller, the world’s tallest observation wheel; and sampled some of the fine dining the city has to offer.

AMCA Idea Exchange is an opportunity to share thoughts on, and work toward solutions to, issues and challenges common to AMCA members, to gain new perspectives, to network, and to unwind a bit. This year’s meeting was a great mix of work and play. If you are a sales, marketing, human-resources, or manufacturing professional from an AMCA member company, I highly recommend you participate next year.