What Did You Miss in Nashville?
The Transformer Association (TTA) held the Spring Meeting in Nashville, Tennessee the same weekend as the NFL Draft. With a robust attendance, there were days packed with information, networking, and entertainment.
Beginning with a night out in Nashville, everyone who attended found some form of what the city is famous for – good music and good food.
The first day of the meeting featured a presentation on crisis communications and being available to respond to any situation with “three key points.” The presentation that followed focused on actionable steps to take to address your risk around cybersecurity. No one can do everything, but these steps can help you immediately. Following a delicious lunch, members were treated to a presentation on the latest perspective on tariffs and trade, including a special focus on China’s expected response and some pathways forward.
Following this presentation, members chose either the business or technical forum. Those in the technical forum delved into research from NC State and the National Energy Technology Lab (NETL) and engaging around the future of solidstate transformers and cutting-edge technologies. Members who chose the business forum were treated to a phenomenal presentation that helped leaders figure out how to “do more with less – and engage with scarcity in your personal and professional life.”
Dinner and a reception on Wednesday took us closer to the action right near the NFL Draft stage at the Wild Horse Saloon. With some top-notch entertainment, including the performers on stage and some first-rate dancers on the floor, members noted how much fun they were having – and that was before anyone even tried to take a scooter home.
Everyone showed up the next morning bright eyed and ready for the final presentations of the meeting. First up were some materials updates, noting the continued value and importance of hearing from the people most directly impacted by materials costs. Following that, we engaged in some trivia (thanks to stand-in host John Horner) and some of Dave Anderson’s (in)famous jokes.
Afterward, Sam Brenner focused on building a marketing machine noting how to engage with new technology and how to really focus on how good marketing drives sales. He noted the need to focus on what you’re good at – and make sure you have context for your marketing actions. One of his points remains valuable for TTA members and a good takeaway for the meeting, “I’m not down on trade shows [or any other medium] – I’m BIG on attention.”
Another successful meeting with much business taking place, networking providing exceptional value, and engaging and informative speakers. You won’t want to miss the Fall meeting in St. Petersburg, Florida. We anticipate a lot of fun, a lot of extraordinary speakers and an unparalleled atmosphere.
