President's Message
1 CVSN INSIDER May 2009 Eyes on the Road Ahead These are indeed exciting times. The current economic situation is unprecedented and while things are challenging, they are exciting as well. We are all busy analysing every aspect of our businesses and making tough decisions. The CVSN Board is going through the same process and many of us have spent countless hours working on plans for the future of this great Association. The last few years have been full of changes for the members of CVSN. Just four short years ago now, we were working on the merge of NWRA with CFS. CVSN emerged as a strong and healthy association representing a large number of aftermarket distributors. The Board realized that CVSN could be a loud voice in industry. Only two years ago, to solidify our commit-ment to HDAW we successfully negotiated an equal ownership interest in that event. We exerted our powerful voice while working with the other owners, HDDA and HDMA, to improve the scope and value of Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week for all attendees. PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE In 2008, we turned our focus inward to care-fully look at just who we are and what we are all about. During this process we learned a lot: Our members genuinely care about the industry and the association as much as they do their own businesses. that would otherwise cost members a substantial amount. that used to be a staple of our spring meeting are now facili-tated during HDAW as one of the many great features of that event. , in addition to the invaluable networking time, has features and benefits such as the supplier Private Strategic Planning sessions that do not exist at other in-dustry meetings. We also learned that we had to find ways to bring more value to our members by: Bringing into our association, either as members or as partners on specific events, will be of great benefit to our Association. Providefor our members to use in their businesses. Being actively involved in Government affairs as it affects our industry. More CVSN as the premier distributor managed Association. During the last eight months we have agreed to partner with Truck Parts & Service and HDX on the Fall meeting, and we will rely on their expertise to provide additional benefits to our members. TP&S has conducted their Truck Parts Seminar for over 30 years. They have an excellent educational format that will now be a part of our revised September meeting. HDX works on that side of the industry that most of Ken Duval President [ CONTINUE ARTICLE ]