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I'm going to take this opportunity to highlight this year's annual M.M.B. A. Spring Conference.
Let's just say I return to my office reinvigorated, humbled and refreshed. Each year this conference provides me with the impetus and opportunity to reevaluate my operation, polish some areas that have lost their luster and sweep the dust out of the corners out of the liquor department and my mind.
The product seminars were informative. I will be expanding some areas of our inventory. Kieran Folliard, Irish Whiskey Ambassador with Beam Global, was engaging, as always , with his Irish history lesson which always seems to meander its way back to whiskey.
Randy Dobratz, North Central Division Manager, St Michelle Wine Estates, provided a new training program for large and small municipal operations on how to train our professional staff to sell more wine and generate additional income for the communities we serve. Contact Randy to take advantage of this opportunity and view his powerpoint presentation by clicking here.
Vinocopia General Sales Manager Marion Dauner, assisted by Jason Ospina, gave us of a world tour of whiskey.
On Monday morning Daryl Rosen helped me to reassess my communication skills at a personal and professional level - which most of you realize is a necessity for me. View his videos by clicking here.
For some however, the most beneficial opportunity wasn't to be found on the agenda.
At breakfast the discussion concerned personnel management, at lunch purchasing habits and strategies, at dinner craft beers and as the evening winds to a close we were still discussing hours of operation and marketing of our on sale operations in Greater MN.
For most of our annual conference attendees, this is total immersion in municipal liquor from Sunday morning until Tuesday early afternoon. The networking opportunities at this annual conference are phenomenal!
For the interested professional manager there is no downtime here!
Managers with multiple locations and millions in sales volume can be found discussing strategy with managers from single stores with $250,000 in annual sales. Many issues seem less significant when they are widely experienced and collectively solved.
A relative newcomer to our conference commented on the sense of camaraderie he felt as an attendee. Then he told me I had too many shirts in my suitcase!
Our managers are some of the best, if not the best, in the industry.
When you perform as individuals you are exceptional, when you manage collectively you are unbeatable.
The networking and collective analysis of industry issues that takes place in our Association is a singular advantage that sets us apart from others.
It is a resource that should not be diminished or ignored!
Continually reach out to your peers in M.M.B.A.
Call me if you prefer. I might not have the answer, but with the management talent pool in the state, I am certain I can point you in the right direction.
Gary Buysse
Rogers Wines & Spirits / Bar | 
