2004 FESA/GESDA Convention

2004 FESA/GESDA Convention

The FESA/GESDA Convention was blessed with great weather, sponsors and guests who enjoyed a wonderful March weekend together at the Radisson Riverwalk Hotel in Jacksonville, FL. Clear blue skies with temperatures in the mid seventies framed this friendly gathering of our service industry while they honed their professional skills in well prepared and attended classes provided by Hitachi, Mitsubishi, Philips, and Thomson. They came from Alabama, California, Georgia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, South Carolina and Florida to make this a great convention.

In addition to the superb training received from Alvie Rodgers of Hitachi, Tom Fogerty from Philips, Lynn Davis from Thomson and David Perry from Mitsubishi, there was an Industry Roundtable discussion, which focused upon ways to promote independent service as the preferred alternative to any single national service provider. It was unanimously concluded that we must collectively plan and more vigorously promote the advantages of NESDA and its associates to fill the role of the prime source for national service. In attendance were FESA, GESDA, Hitachi, Mitsubishi, NESDA, Sharp, Thomson, Toshiba, and TriTronics.

Each day began at 7:30 AM with an available light breakfast including coffee and orange juice in the hospitality room then concluded with snacks and drinks and plenty of friendly conversation that provided opportunities to make new friends. Our Hospitality Room for this convention was sponsored by National Electronics Warranty (NEW) who was represented by Steve Camulli.

Our first sponsored noon meal featured a box lunch sponsored by FESA & GESDA so all registrants could eat promptly then return to class with a maximum opportunity to relax and enjoy time with others. Later that Friday afternoon, we rode the bus to Kristy and Joe Fowler’s beautiful home on Pottsburg Creek for a dinner of bar-b-que ribs, chicken and sliced pork with deep fried corn on the cob, BBQ beans, potato salad, cole slaw, garlic bread, and banana pudding served with tea and other beverages. They are outstanding hosts and everyone enjoyed this outing.

Mitsubishi Digital Electronics sponsored our lunch on Saturday that was known as the Jaguar tailgate buffet. There were plenty of big hamburgers and hot dogs along with chili and every other condiment any one could dream of, plus an assortment of cookies and beverages that really hit the spot. David Velasquez addressed us and presented Ethan Allen with a Mitsubishi DVD player they donated for the door prize.

The Officer Installation Banquet was sponsored by TriTronics, Incorporated. We enjoyed a chef’s green salad, followed by a dinner of steak, potatoes and mixed vegetables with apple pie for dessert. Ken Cisson FESA president thanked the membership for their cooperation during his terms in office then introduced the GESDA President; Ernie Kennedy who spoke briefly. TriTronics VP Kim Wagner then spoke to us on the subject of a changing industry. She emphasized focusing upon those opportunities created by change and observed an increasing role for women in leadership throughout our service industry. Our new FESA Officers, President Pat Eubanks, 1st Vice President Ethan Allen, 2nd Vice President Neil Mengel, Secretary Larry Scott, and Treasurer Billy Williams were administered the oath of office by the NESDA Executive Director, Mack Blakely.

Afterwards Jo Cisson and Billy Williams conducted our prize drawings. Grand Prize RCA Projection TV Donated by Marvin’s Electronics won by Tom Brown, 30" Philips TV/DVD Donated by Philips won by Robert Rymsza, RCA DVD Player Donated by Marvin’s Electronics won by John Eubanks, Home Theater System Donated by Marvin’s Electronics won by Cindy Spikes, 3/8 Cordless Drill Kit Donated by Marvin’s Electronics won by Candy Scott, Cordless Screwdriver Kit Donated by Marvin’s Electronics won by Rudine McDonald, Cordless Screwdriver Kit Donated by Marvin’s Electronics won by Ernest Kennedy plus a Nipper and Chipper Donated by Thomson and Sharp Service Manuals on CD, Donated by Sharp Electronics.

Then came a special heart warming part of this convention with the celebration of the 37th wedding anniversary by Larry and Candy Scott as they exchanged gifts and let us all become a part of this wonderful milestone in their lives.

It also became an evening of concern when Tommie Spikes was admitted to Baptist Hospital with acute stomach pain. He remained hospitalized for the next five days, undergoing tests and treatment. He was finally released on Thursday the 18th of March to return home and recuperate. With medication and our prayers he will regain his health to be with us when we gather once again.

It would be remiss to overlook Neil Mengel’s outstanding contribution to our association and the success of this convention. Mengel Enterprise’s provided all screens and sound equipment plus set each one up for this entire event. Needless to say his efforts and dedication resulted in reducing our bottom line costs and is greatly appreciated. He also recorded the Philips and Mitsubishi training sessions, with permission, and will soon have these available on CD for those interested.

Sunday morning brought an end to this outstanding convention as everyone but Tommie and Cindy began departing for home. We want to thank each of you who came and participated with us in this event to make it our best convention in recent years. Cooperation within associations was proved to be alive and well. We want to thank GESDA and NESDA for their participation. The only way this could have been improved is for those who were not able to attend to have been there with us.




	2004 FESA/GESDA Convention





	The FESA/GESDA Convention was blessed with great weather, sponsors and guests who enjoyed a wonderful March weekend together at the Radisson Riverwalk Hotel in Jacksonville, FL. Clear blue skies with temperatures in the mid seventies framed this friendly gathering of our service industry while they honed their professional skills in well prepared and attended classes provided by Hitachi, Mitsubishi, Philips, and Thomson. They came from Alabama, California, Georgia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, South Carolina and Florida to make this a great convention.




	In addition to the superb training received from Alvie Rodgers of Hitachi, Tom Fogerty from Philips, Lynn Davis from Thomson and David Perry from Mitsubishi, there was an Industry Roundtable discussion, which focused upon ways to promote independent service as the preferred alternative to any single national service provider. It was unanimously concluded that we must collectively plan and more vigorously promote the advantages of NESDA and its associates to fill the role of the prime source for national service. In attendance were FESA, GESDA, Hitachi, Mitsubishi, NESDA, Sharp, Thomson, Toshiba, and TriTronics.





	Each day began at 7:30 AM with an available light breakfast including coffee and orange juice in the hospitality room then concluded with snacks and drinks and plenty of friendly conversation that provided opportunities to make new friends. Our Hospitality Room for this convention was sponsored by National Electronics Warranty (NEW) who was represented by Steve Camulli.







	Our first sponsored noon meal featured a box lunch sponsored by FESA & GESDA so all registrants could eat promptly then return to class with a maximum opportunity to relax and enjoy time with others. Later that Friday afternoon, we rode the bus to Kristy and Joe Fowler’s beautiful home on Pottsburg Creek for a dinner of bar-b-que ribs, chicken and sliced pork with deep fried corn on the cob, BBQ beans, potato salad, cole slaw, garlic bread, and banana pudding served with tea and other beverages. They are outstanding hosts and everyone enjoyed this outing.





	Mitsubishi Digital Electronics sponsored our lunch on Saturday that was known as the Jaguar tailgate buffet. There were plenty of big hamburgers and hot dogs along with chili and every other condiment any one could dream of, plus an assortment of cookies and beverages that really hit the spot. David Velasquez addressed us and presented Ethan Allen with a Mitsubishi DVD player they donated for the door prize.



	The Officer Installation Banquet was sponsored by TriTronics, Incorporated. We enjoyed a chef’s green salad, followed by a dinner of steak, potatoes and mixed vegetables with apple pie for dessert. Ken Cisson FESA president thanked the membership for their cooperation during his terms in office then introduced the GESDA President; Ernie Kennedy who spoke briefly. TriTronics VP Kim Wagner then spoke to us on the subject of a changing industry. She emphasized focusing upon those opportunities created by change and observed an increasing role for women in leadership throughout our service industry. Our new FESA Officers, President Pat Eubanks, 1st Vice President Ethan Allen, 2nd Vice President Neil Mengel, Secretary Larry Scott, and Treasurer Billy Williams were administered the oath of office by the NESDA Executive Director, Mack Blakely.





	Afterwards Jo Cisson and Billy Williams conducted our prize drawings. Grand Prize RCA Projection TV Donated by Marvin’s Electronics won by Tom Brown, 30" Philips TV/DVD Donated by Philips won by Robert Rymsza, RCA DVD Player Donated by Marvin’s Electronics won by John Eubanks, Home Theater System Donated by Marvin’s Electronics won by Cindy Spikes, 3/8 Cordless Drill Kit Donated by Marvin’s Electronics won by Candy Scott, Cordless Screwdriver Kit Donated by Marvin’s Electronics won by Rudine McDonald, Cordless Screwdriver Kit Donated by Marvin’s Electronics won by Ernest Kennedy plus a Nipper and Chipper Donated by Thomson and Sharp Service Manuals on CD, Donated by Sharp Electronics.



	Then came a special heart warming part of this convention with the celebration of the 37th wedding anniversary by Larry and Candy Scott as they exchanged gifts and let us all become a part of this wonderful milestone in their lives.



	It also became an evening of concern when Tommie Spikes was admitted to Baptist Hospital with acute stomach pain. He remained hospitalized for the next five days, undergoing tests and treatment. He was finally released on Thursday the 18th of March to return home and recuperate. With medication and our prayers he will regain his health to be with us when we gather once again. It would be remiss to overlook Neil Mengel’s outstanding contribution to our association and the success of this convention. Mengel Enterprise’s provided all screens and sound equipment plus set each one up for this entire event. Needless to say his efforts and dedication resulted in reducing our bottom line costs and is greatly appreciated. He also recorded the Philips and Mitsubishi training sessions, with permission, and will soon have these available on CD for those interested. Sunday morning brought an end to this outstanding convention as everyone but Tommie and Cindy began departing for home. We want to thank each of you who came and participated with us in this event to make it our best convention in recent years. Cooperation within associations was proved to be alive and well. We want to thank GESDA and NESDA for their participation. The only way this could have been improved is for those who were not able to attend to have been there with us.