Three Topics today, so let’s get started!

1. 2011 Louisville Manufactured Housing Show

We have received at www.MHMSM.com numerous positive responses to the report on the return of the Louisville Manufactured Housing Show in 2011. Some are public, as a review of comments posted in last weekend’s blog will reveal. Many more are ‘private,’ or coming in directly to me or others. These are overwhelmingly positive. If you missed last weekend’s post on this, please read the post and comments here.

There is genuine interest and even enthusiasm about the 2011 return of the Louisville Manufactured Housing Show. Most of the expected regional manufacturers have already signed on! My sources told me late this week that there are only six show spaces for homes left, and that there are ongoing talks with manufacturers who are considering what sort of presence and display model to provide.

A different look at this show is this fact: as of my last report, the show is only $15,000 away from break even! That’s an amazing and positive fact, considering there are booths/exhibit spaces to fill and a handful of model home display spaces remaining, too.

All of these are healthy signals for the Louisville Manufactured Housing Show and the Industry.

In addition to key points made last week in my blog, I want to say hats off to Dennis Hill and others who are working to promote this event and make its return a success. Decades ago, an MH Industry executive told me a memorable expression, “No guts, no glory!” Don’t be surprised if there will be glory for those who have taken this positive step for the region and for the Industry at large.

One last point on the show. I am told that in addition to the traditional methods, there will be new modern promotional outreaches, new ways to attract attendees, all to make the New Louisville Manufactured Housing Show in 2011 an event to attend, benefit from, enjoy and remember!

2. Workshop Change of Schedule

Friday, October 8, 2010

Precision Capital Funding and RainMaker Consulting are announcing a change of dates for their next Captive Finance Workshop in Chicago, Illinois from November 16th and 17th to November 18th and 19th, 2010. This was done to allow Ken Rishel, a member of the MHI Dodd Frank Task Force to attend a meeting of the task force, which he considers to be vital to the manufactured housing industry. Mr. Rishel is the only appointee actively involved in the owner-assisted finance movement within the industry and feels an obligation to community owners and retailers engaged in captive finance to attend and represent their point of view. He and the sponsoring organizations regret any inconvenience this may cause for anyone.

It should be noted that we plan a report on the work of MHI’s Dodd Frank Task Force and its members in our new issue next week. This is a good move, and the Industry owes a word of thanks to all those who are VOLUNTEERING their time and resources, as Ken Rishel and other lenders are doing.

3. Realist and Idealist

George Allen was very gracious in saying that

“Manufactured Home Marketing Sales Management, during its first year of online publication, has earned the apt reputation for being an unapologetic cheerleader for the MHIndustry at large!” See this and others’ quotes at:
http://www.mhmarketingsalesmanagement.com/what-our-readers-say

First, let me thank all those and more who share such positive words of encouragement. They are deeply appreciated by the MHMSM.com team and myself.

But I want to make a point. There are times in sporting events when cheerleading takes place when there is no hope. There are people in life optimistic when there seems to be no reason for optimism. My point is, there is Realism and Idealism. The two are NOT in conflict!

The Realist knows when it is raining; he doesn’t deny the rain. The Idealist sees the rain, and knows that it has its purpose, and that without the rain, without moisture, life would wither and die. The pessimist sees the downside, the optimist sees the opportunities.

Let’s be realistic, and not lose sight of the opportunities around us. There are companies who are selling homes and making money. Factories that are profitable and growing. Communities that are maintaining or growing occupancy, while others are losing occupants.

So long as one person can gain success, that means others can, too. Affordable housing is more important than ever before! We as an Industry sell and provide affordable quality homes, and can do so in appealing settings. Let’s remember the good, while we work realistically and idealistically to remedy the issues that hold us back from the next boom that surely will come.

As we approach our anniversary issue in a few days, let me take a few moments to stop and thank everyone that makes this online trade journal:

• Our many fine feature writers, who helped us launch our content for the factory built housing industry.
• The associations whose news and support have helped us to grow
• Industry pros who gave us interviews or special reports
• Cup of Coffee interviewees, who gave us insight into and experience from seasoned veterans
• Our Podcaster, Erin Patla
• Our Associate Editor, Catherine Frenzel
• Our INdustry in Focus Reporter, Eric Miller
• Our IT and Production Manager, Bob Stovall, who amazingly – given the volume of last-minute copy – has kept everything on time and moving ahead in a positive fashion.
• Readers like you.
• You!
• YOU!

It is readers like you who have made this – as you see in the “What our readers say” link – the Number 1 news and views resource of its kind. As we look back at the first year, take a moment to consider our tag line:

Innovation – Information – Inspiration for Industry Professionals

From our INspiration blog, to the Industry’s single largest news source, to daily business and market reports in our News at Noon podcasts (sign up free and join this GROWING crowd of those in the know who can listen on their iPods or MP3 players anytime!) to some 200 feature articles from Industry Pros and Experts, we thank you all! You made us #1 in readers. Please pass the word on to others; there is plenty to read, think and do in the days ahead! # #