Finally, I'm across the finish line from a long stretch of travel, out visiting PODS alliance companies as they gear up for a busy summer. I kicked things off with a visit to the Keller Williams Family Reunion in New Orleans. Then it was off to the UniGroup Learning conference in St. Louis, a day at the RE/MAX Annual Convention in Orlando and finally, the 1-800-GOT-JUNK? annual conference in Vancouver.
Three straight weekends on the road. I'm friggin' tired. Way too many rounds of Starbucks coffee and making sure my tray table was in an upright and locked position. And yet, it has been an energizing few weeks, too. People are geared up to get the hell out of this economic malaise. It's fun to be part of that spirit.
No one has had it tougher than real estate. But the Keller Williams Family Reunion, as always, was full of upbeat brokers and agents eager to find new ways to serve their clients and move some properties. You can tell Keller Williams agents believe in their brand and the management team. That conference is always a fun one to work. Even on a Sunday.
The RE/MAX Convention always has high-end professional agents who are cordial and knowledgeable. PODS always gets a warm welcome and RE/MAX has been a great partner for us.
I was able to attend the UniGroup Learning Conference for the first time, now that PODS has entered into a strategic alliance to provide the company with additional capacity for its new container strategy. UniGroup owns the United and Mayflower brands -- two long-time full-service moving leaders in a space that is changing fast. But UniGroup isn't standing still -- it has new plans in place to keep its brands at the top. I'm glad PODS is a part of it.
Finally, I was in Vancouver this past weekend for the 1-800-GOT-JUNK? annual convention. What a great corporate culture and sense of mission that company has. GOT-JUNK has been through some big changes and challenges in the past year, but I have the sense corporate employees and franchisees have their eyes straight ahead and are ready for a big year. PODS is aligned with GOT-JUNK to help both organizations cross-market at the corporate and local levels. The GOT-JUNK team works hard but maintains a vital sense of humor and balance. Those traits are crucial in carrying forward through challenges.
PODS is aligned with some of the best service brands out there. Companies that aren't dour, but find energy in trying new things to turn the tide.
Personally, it's tough to be away from family, tough to fall out of bed at 4 AM to catch a flight. But coming home, I always love flying in and taking that big turn south of the Gandy Bridge, cruising in over the bay and touching down at Tampa International. That's when I remember that I live in a great place. Floridians are fortunate to live here. It's easier to forget that when the economy is in rough shape and the winter has been unusually cold and gray. Sometimes, you have to get worn out on the road to remember how lucky you are to rest in the place you call home.
