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OPE

“ Those words you say after you hit a bad shot , is that some kind of Swedish cursing ?” Gary Haasch was laughing so hard he had difficulty getting this question out , while he and Bill Tochterman sat in the golf cart . “ Heck no , I ’ m Danish ,” I replied , my face reddening from embarrassment and the Florida summer sun .

We all laughed about occasional chunks and slices and lost balls , even Matthew Glendon , who could hit clear over the trees and shorten any dog-leg par 5 on the course . We made a handful of birdies , but in the end our total team score was no real threat in the OPEI Golf Classic tournament . But we survived the heat and had a great time .

Best of all , we got to know each other ,

GLENN HANSEN learned about our work ,

and started relationships that we ’ ll pick up at the next industry event .

Golf , of course , is not about golf , not for any player . If you ’ re a pro , the sport is about money , whether purse winnings or sponsor payouts . For low handicappers like Glendon and for creative Scandinavian linguists like me , it ’ s about 4 + hours of relationship building .

Our day on the links was part of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute ( OPEI ) Annual Meeting event , held recently in Ponte Vedra , Fla . I attended this same event last

My new golf buddies : Bill Tochterman and Gary Haasch , Warner Electric , makers of clutch and brake parts .

Matt Glendon , Mahindra USA . And me .

year but didn ’ t golf for reasons obvious to anyone who has seen me golf . But this spring I practiced , put my ego aside , and borrowed my son ’ s golf clubs , knowing the potential of investing time on the links with other industry professionals .

Industry events are not always easy to attend , I know that , especially in the heart of the selling and mowing season like this particular event . But I also know this : The work never ends , and you can ’ t be so strapped to today ’ s business that you miss opportunities to grow tomorrow ’ s business .

Mike Clancy , CEO of Chervon , said it well at the event ’ s opening session . OPE industry pros at all levels of their career need to attend events like this one that “ encourage interaction .” That interaction leads to more interaction , increasing opportunities to grow your business connections , your brain , and your bottom line .

I keep an event calendar on my computer , and I will admit I cannot attend most of the industry events on the list . Here ’ s an event you should not miss . And it ’ s our own . The OPE + Power Forum , Jan . 20-22 , Charlotte , N . C .

It ’ s like a golf event for two days , without the embarrassing golfing part . We meet in smaller groups for education , connections , networking and professional learning . I can promise you that attending the OPE + Power Forum ( plus another event or two ) will be worth your time . We have more info on page 6 here , and on our website . See you in Charlotte in January .

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4 OPE + July 2024 www . OPE-Plus . com