NAEC 2024 NexGen Retreat

The next generation of elevator industry leaders gathers to learn and network.

photos by NAEC

The National Association of Elevator Contractors (NAEC) 2024 NexGen Retreat took place on April 18-19 at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort in Miramar Beach, Florida, following the NAEC Spring Educational Conference. Linking the two events was the Dregs party. Traditionally the big close to NAEC conferences, this year, the Dregs also served as a spirited starting point for the NexGen Retreat.

Prior to joining the larger group, NexGen members had the opportunity to gather for a pre-party happy hour on the patio of the Marina Bar & Grill. After following a long boardwalk, your author arrived on the scene and was greeted by NAEC Senior Development Manager Danielle Chappelear and introduced to Vice Chair of the NexGen Committee Morgan Jones of Hyperion Solutions. With impressive views of Choctawhatchee Bay and docked yachts, the setting was ideal for fostering relaxed reunions and meetings between a wide array of elevator industry members under (or around) the age of 40. The next two days included a compact schedule of nine educational sessions – the same number of sessions as last year’s three-day retreat in Nashville, Tennessee — along with a variety of networking opportunities. 

Thursday, April 18

The first day of the retreat began with a delicious breakfast. Chappelear and Jones spoke to the 53 attendees and introduced the first activity, a game of networking bingo. Participants, who had been asked to send in an interesting personal fact when they registered, were given a card filled with bits of trivia and tasked with finding out which fact went with each person. With 15 first-time participants in attendance, the exercise was a helpful way to make introductions and allow the multifaceted members of NexGen to learn more about one another.

With a sense of camaraderie already forming, the day continued with breakout sessions held in adjacent conference rooms. All speakers throughout the retreat were volunteers. Ray Downs, recently retired from TEI Group, gave an intense presentation on “Fall Protection,” commanding the attention of all in attendance. Next door, Carlos Escobar of Hyperion Solutions delivered “Repair or Replacement: Evaluating Traction Machines Wholistically To Deliver Value in Your Proposals.” Following a short break, the next concurrent sessions began. “Introducing New Technologies — Challenges and How To Overcome Them” by Marc Hirsch of Ziehl-Abegg drew a large crowd. Luke Shipp and Trey Walker of Risk Strategies gave a dynamic presentation on “Risk Management Practices — Safety Matters” to an engaged audience. 

Sponsored by Quality Elevator Products, Inc., lunch was an impressive taco bar with a multitude of toppings and sides. The churro and sopapilla dessert station was also popular. As participants entered the room, they were given a number, indicating at which table they should sit. These random assignments ensured that everyone would have the chance to make new connections.

Attendees regrouped for the afternoon sessions, which began with “Entrepreneurship — Learn From the Past, Focus on the Future” by Travis Hall of Alliance Elevator Solutions. He shared the highs and lows of starting his own business and what he believes it takes to be successful, as attendees listened closely. 

“How Can an Elevator Consultant Benefit Your Business?” by Matthew Montesano of DTM Drafting and Consulting Services, Inc. followed. Montesano painted a clear picture of the role of an elevator consultant and explained how they bring “the human element” while working with all project stakeholders.

The last session of the day was a sales workshop, “Rise Above the Sales Noise,” led by Brittany Brothers, formerly of SnapCab. Attendees were once again assigned to tables at random. After a discussion of the importance of trust in sales communications, Brothers asked attendees to go around their tables and make an elevator pitch to one another. Brothers explained several sales techniques and then gave each table an opportunity to practice them by making a sales pitch for a beach item — with a twist. Attendees used their imaginations to come up with a special function and unique selling points for each product. After many laughs, the winning group was named, and it was time to go get ready for the evening’s dinner boat cruise.

Around 7 p.m., NexGen attendees and a handful of significant others embarked on a 3-h tour aboard SunQuest Cruises’ Solaris. Sponsored by Dynasty Elevator and Torin Drive North America, the outing included an open bar (with signature cocktails the Torin Triple and the NexGen Manhattan), fresh coastal cuisine and lively music. Despite clouds blocking much of the sunset view, the top deck was abuzz with conversation and old and new friends taking photos together. As the yacht pulled back into port, it was clear that, for many, the evening was not yet over.

Friday, April 19

The second and final day of the NexGen retreat began with a breakfast buffet and copious amounts of coffee after a late night for some. The group was slightly smaller as several attendees, particularly those who had been in town since Sunday to attend the Spring Educational Conference, had already begun their travels home. The first session, “Using Excel To Stand Out,” by Jake Anderson of Minnesota Elevator, Inc. covered how to use the program to streamline operations, make decisions and manage risks. He demonstrated the importance of looking at data from multiple vantage points. Next was an impromptu panel discussion featuring NexGen members representing the consultant, contractor and supplier side of the business. The final education session “Branding — What Does Your Brand Say About You?” saw Kohtler Elevator’s Veronica Querales share insights with an emphasis on relationship building. Last on the itinerary was the NexGen Think Tank, an opportunity to discuss the retreat and future plans. Ideas included vendor presentation opportunities and offering continuing-education credits for the NexGen educational sessions. A preference for conducting one session at a time, rather than using a breakout format, was expressed.

The weekend concluded with a group picture and a chorus of goodbyes and “See you in Atlantic City!” Chappelear summed up the goodwill and solidarity felt among industry members at the retreat:

“I always enjoy seeing how two attendees from competing companies can attend these events and almost completely forget that they are competitors. Attending the NexGen Retreat is almost like attending a class reunion. Everyone is so excited to see each other, and they do a great job of making new attendees feel like they have been attending the retreat for years.”

Chappelear added that new NexGen initiatives are in the works. There are plans for the group to gather for an offsite event and to partner with its Canadian counterpart, the Canadian Elevator Contractors Association 1939 Club, during the United convention in Atlantic City, New Jersey, on September 23-26.