TCI Magazine launched in June 1990, and the first TCI EXPO was in held October of that year. This column is a reprint of the “Outlook” column from the December 1990 issue of TCI, when Robert Felix was the publisher and Peter Gerstenberger, now publisher, was associate editor. Some of its messages and the sentiments expressed are still apropos this year.
As they say, “What goes around comes around.” When the supplier side of the tree care industry first suggested that NAA (the National Arborist Association, now TCIA) publish a magazine and hold a trade show, those projects hardly seemed feasible. Now, both are established realities.
Tree Care Industry has been widely acclaimed and we are grateful for the many fine comments we receive. Look for more diversified articles, new authors and more advertisers in the future.
TCI EXPO ’90 was equally well received. Every booth was sold. The exhibit of equipment, small tools, materials, computer software and everything else relating to the tree care industry was the largest display that I have ever seen anywhere. The exhibitors went all out.
More than 625 people attended TCI EXPO ’90, representing 340 firms from 39 states. Exhibitors were so pleased with the event that almost all have already signed up for booth space in TCI EXPO ’91, in Columbus, Ohio, next December. TCI EXPO ’91 will be bigger and better, with more booths, more exhibitors and many new speakers for our seminars.
We decided from the outset that being “user friendly” would make the magazine and exposition successful. It’s simply stating the Golden Rule a little differently. While we all would probably like to believe that we are always user friendly or live by the Golden Rule, such is not the case. It is something that you work at every day.
As I talk to tree service firms around the country, I find that some are having tough times in this current economy and others are working harder but still selling work and keeping their crews busy. Where are they finding the business? With clients that they have worked for before – clients who appreciate the work that was done for them and have confidence in their tree care contractor. This comes from being “user friendly.”
As 1990 draws to a close, we all have much to be grateful for. I certainly am grateful that we have been able to contribute to the industry in the form of information in the magazine, the EXPO seminars and the marvelous exhibits. In the eyes of some, the future may be a little shaky, but I have every confidence that those in the tree care industry who have established a good relationship with their clients and who are willing to persevere will continue to be successful. What goes around will come around.
On behalf of the TCI staff, our sincere thanks to our readers and advertisers for your support, and our very best wishes to you all for a wonderful holiday season and a healthy, happy and prosperous 1991.
The late Robert Felix was TCI Magazine’s founding publisher in 1990.
TCI will pay $100 for published “From the Field” articles. Submissions become the property of TCI and are subject to editing for grammar, style and length. Entries must include the name of a company and a contact person. Send to: Tree Care Industry, 670 N. Commercial Street, Suite 201, Manchester, NH 03101, or editor@tcia.org.
