Gearing up for the Best Show in Snow

'Though the committee’s roster evolves as volunteers come and go, the goal each year stays the same: to make the show a success for attendees, exhibitors, and the snow & ice industry.'

By Heather Carew
Buffalo, Louisville, Providence, Schaumburg, Minneapolis…what do all of these cities have in common? They’ve all had below-average temperatures and their fair share of snow this year, but what makes them stand out?  

In my mind, they are significant because in my six years at SIMA these wonderful cities have hosted the Best Show in Snow & Ice Management - SIMA’s Annual Snow & Ice Symposium. And I’m happy to say that I’ve been to (and helped plan) each one.

It’s a team approach
Planning a large-scale event like the Symposium is no easy task, and it’s a year-round process. Once one ends, preparation for the next begins.

The many hours, minds and moving parts it takes to coordinate the show can be daunting. To plan each session, the trade show and menu takes time, but it also takes the dedication of a few good people. For the past six years, members of the Symposium Advisory Committee have been a guiding force to me and the SIMA staff as we determine show specifics.

Did you enjoy a certain educational session, have a great networking experience at one of our Snack & Chats, or play enough Ping-Pong to last you a year? If so, thank a committee member! All aspects of the show are reviewed, discussed and implemented during monthly conference calls and follow-up email communications throughout the year.

This planning committee is dedicated and strong. Though the committee’s roster evolves as volunteers come and go, the goal each year stays the same: to make the show a success for attendees, exhibitors, and the snow & ice industry.

Gratitude must be given
While the Symposium Advisory Committee members should get their fair share of credit for the show’s success, we can’t forget the many volunteers who step up to help make the show run smoothly. We ask Symposium volunteers to work the SIMA booth, collect tickets, or moderate a Snack & Chat discussion, and every year they step up to the task.

Our show volunteers work as knowledge sources and friends to first-time attendees and new industry professionals. Everyone is family at SIMA — we all share the same successes and challenges — and SIMA’s volunteers help make that known.

Columbus, here we come
This June, the Snow & Ice Symposium is headed to Columbus, OH. Our team is working hard to finalize plans, but here is a sneak peek of some of the new and exciting things we have planned:

• Best Practices Pavilion. Stop by the Pavilion on Thursday, June 19, and learn more about personal protective equipment, calibration and site maps. We’ll even have a course with fully functioning remote-control plow trucks to play with.
• Plow Simulator. Get the full plowing experience without going outside. Join CrossRoads on Friday, June 20, for this new type of plowing experience.
• Keynote Addresses. It was too hard to decide, so we’re having two! Join John DiJulius on Thursday, June 19, as he gives his take on creating a World-Class Customer Experience and Marc Wayshak on Friday, June 20, to learn about Game Plan Selling.

Much more awaits this year’s attendees...don’t miss out! Take a look at all of the show information and registration at www.sima.org/show. I look forward to seeing you this June in Ohio.