The 2010 CAM-X Convention Review

By Tom Sheridan

As incoming president of CAM-X, I want to thank everyone who attended our joint convention in Las Vegas for their support and participation.  We had a great time with over a hundred of our members present.  Overall, the session evaluations were quite positive and our speakers and content were well received.  Two of the highlights for me were the Gala where our association raised over $50,000 for Breast Cancer and the panel discussion on The Future of Our Industry.  John Ratliff is a prince of a guy for publicly having his head shaved, and his company, Appletree, raised $10,000 for the cause before the convention.  As a panelist, Brian Gilmore made one of the most positive statements I’ve heard in a while.  Basically he said, “To get involved in our industry... join a committee or run for a board... just get involved.”  That was great to hear, and Brian expressed it so well during our panel discussion.  We have many talented people in our CAM-X organization, all of whom can offer meaningful contributions to our industry.

During the sessions, we learned about “social media” (primarily Facebook and Twitter), and I believe the conclusions reached were:

• It is here to stay, especially with those under twenty-five.

• It is still early in the game for this technology.

• Most of us still have a lot more to learn about it.

• It has great potential to affect our future, how we will do business going forward, and potentially, our future revenue stream. 

Another topic that was well received was search engine optimization (SEO) and Internet analytics.  This is another area that is evolving and one that most of us need to learn more about in order to hone our skills and understanding within this arena.  SEO is a topic that will be covered in greater depth at future CAM-X conventions.

I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the 2010 convention committee members and to Dan L’Heureux and the folks at WSTA for their participation in planning for and carrying out the 2010 joint convention.  Of course, none of it would happen without the convention experience and hard work contributed by Linda Osip and Ida Rowlands.  Being convention chair this past year, I had my first real peek behind the curtain, and I received a thorough education about the time and energy it takes to bring together a successful four-day event for a couple of hundred people.  Our attendance this year was the best in recent memory, with many first-timers present.  

For next year’s convention, Brad French will take over my role as chair.  Several of our members have already stepped up and offered to serve on his 2011 Montreal Convention committee.  CAM-X is on a roll, our membership is growing, and I am delighted to see our continued success.

CAM-X Raises 50K for Breast Cancer Research

This year, at its Annual Convention & Trade Show held in Las Vegas, Nevada, CAM-X, with the support of both members and vendors, raised an astounding, record-setting $50,000 for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.  The ever-generous John Ratliff (Appletree Answering Service) not only offered up his lovely locks to be shorn in the “Shave to Save” event, but he also handed over a check for $10,000 – the result of his staff’s fundraising efforts.  Before the last lock fell to the floor, another $26,500 was raised to support this worthy cause.

Derek Crisafulli of Icon Salon in Las Vegas generously donated his time and talent to supervise the shave.  “I was surprised and proud to be chosen to help out for this worthy cause,” said Derek.

Attendees at the annual fund-raising event were persuaded by Gary Pudles’ (Answernet) awesome auctioneering skills to part with yet another $14,000 before the night was over.  “CAM-X members continue to demonstrate their innate philanthropy and generosity by raising a grand total of $50,000 to be donated to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.  I am so proud – but not at all surprised – at their accomplishment.” said CAM-X executive director Linda Osip.

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