The Power of Community

By Kerry Crockett

In my 20-plus years as an association executive, I’ve been reminded time and again how associations bring people together to create a beautiful amalgamation of family from all sectors of the industry they represent. The Powder Coating Institute has been no exception. For the past two months I’ve had the pleasure of meeting and working with a dedicated board of directors and volunteer leaders who give so much of their time freely to PCI – often sacrificing time with their own families. The passion they have for the organization and the work we do is inspiring.

What makes that commitment so meaningful is that it extends far beyond the individuals serving in leadership roles. At its best, an association creates an environment where competitors become collaborators, seasoned professionals mentor those entering the industry and ideas are shared with the understanding that a stronger industry benefits everyone. Those relationships, built on trust and a common purpose, are what transform an association from simply an organization into a true community.

PCI's mission to promote powder coating technology in ways that drive sustainable business success for our members gets to the heart of the value associations provide. None of us have all the answers for how to make our businesses successful, so having an organization in your corner filled with individuals who are willing to share their knowledge, experience and expertise is critical.

This collaborative culture will be on full display at our Business Growth Summit, Oct. 4 – 6, in New Orleans, Louisiana. Limited to a select group of individuals, this inaugural event will explore a range of topics all designed to help your business succeed. Curated speakers will share their thoughts on everything from the current state of the economy and what to watch for, to how to drive increased profitability.

While many of our events focus on technical education, the Business Growth Summit was designed with a different purpose in mind. It's about helping companies grow. It's about bringing together business owners, executives, suppliers, custom coaters, manufacturers, and industry partners to have meaningful conversations about leadership, strategy, innovation and the future of our businesses.

The agenda is important, but the conversations that happen between sessions may prove to be just as valuable. I’ve experienced this myself many times. Some of the best ideas don't come from a presentation. They come from sitting across the table from someone who has faced the same challenge you're facing, asking a question over coffee, or making a connection that turns into a lasting business relationship. Those are the moments that have always defined successful associations, and they are exactly the kind of experience we hope to create at this event.

As someone who is new to the powder coating industry, I continue to be impressed by the willingness of people to share what they've learned and invest in one another's success. That openness is one of this industry's greatest strengths, and it's something worth celebrating and building upon.

The Business Growth Summit represents more than a new event on the PCI calendar. It's another step in fulfilling our mission of creating value for our members and strengthening the powder coating industry through education, collaboration and meaningful connections.

I look forward to seeing many of you there, continuing to build the relationships that make PCI not just an association, but a community.

Kerry Crockett
PCI Executive Director
exdir@powdercoating.org