A special thanks to NAMB's 2004 Convention backstage choreographersJoel M. BermanNAMB 2004 Convention,Joel M. Berman
I'm sitting on a plane heading back to New York from the
National Association of Mortgage Brokers 2004 Annual Convention and
Exhibition in Salt Lake City. I was greatly satisfied with what I
learned during the event, and more importantly, excited by the
wealth of contacts available by the "melting pot" of our nation's
mortgage industry brought to this annual ritual.
As I left the hotel in Salt Lake City, I realized that the
feeling everyone leaves with is dependent on the hard work of
dedicated volunteers and NAMB staff members who, in the background,
carefully choreograph every detail of the event, so that each and
every one of us transitions flawlessly from one component of the
convention to the next.
As I left the hotel, a van was pulling away with NAMB staffers.
While the entire staff of NAMB immerses themselves in the
coordination of the convention, it is Executive Vice President/CEO
Mike Nizankiewicz, Meetings and Convention Director Rebecca Dopkin,
and Manager of Meetings Jason Hawthorne Petty who inspired the
staff and on-site volunteers to identify with their passion and
zeal for great success. Their tired and drawn faces depicted the
true testament to their successful efforts. If you've attended NAMB
conventions, you'd certainly recognize their faces as they
traversed the halls of the convention, attending to everything from
registration, to signage program transitions, to the supervision of
the professionally presented general sessions and gala. It's true
that it's their job, but collectively as an industry, they do their
job well and with sincere commitment to go that extra mile to
deliver (I have received e-mails from them sent during the wee
hours of the morning). We often neglect to say thanks, and I wanted
to take the time to say, "Job well done!" (By the way, while their
faces may have shown their exhaustion, it didn't stop them from
telling me that they couldn't wait to get back to D.C. and start
planning the 2005 Annual Convention in Minnesota.)
Mr. Smile, as I like to call NAMB Director and Convention Chair
Doug Anderson, is the epitome of a consummate professional who set
a goal for the NAMB 2004 Convention and Exhibition. In my opinion,
and the many with whom I had a chance to speak, he exceeded
everyone's expectations--and probably his, as well. Sitting on the
NAMB Convention Committee, I had a bird's eye view of Doug's
intensity in making NAMB 2004 the best convention, ever. Doug, I am
proud to say that I was part of your committee, but more proud of
the class act you delivered to this industry. Your smile guided us
through a wonderful experience, which included excellent seminars,
speakers and entertainment. Simply put, your contagious smile was
mirrored on the many faces of the attendees who truly enjoyed every
aspect of the convention and the beautiful venue (both hotel and
city) that it was held in.
My final thanks goes to our outgoing NAMB President A.W. Pickel
who tirelessly traversed our nation to countless NAMB state
affiliate events, not to mention the dozens of other trade
association conferences and legislative meetings and hearings also
attended. The industry owes a great deal of gratitude to A.W. for
both the personal and business sacrifices he made this past year
fulfilling his role as NAMB President. Having been a two-term
president of the New York Association of Mortgage Brokers, I had a
minimal glimpse of the enormity of his responsibility this past
year. A.W., you led well this past year and NAMB 2004 represents
the culmination of your term, but more importantly is testament to
a foundation that you not only strengthened but have built added
stories to. You set the tone for our future and we heard it loud
and clear in Salt Lake City.
I don't want to close this note of appreciation with the
impression that only the highlighted individuals are worthy of our
collective thanks and recognition. I want to acknowledge all of
NAMB's Industry Partners, sponsors, exhibitors, Officers, Board of
Directors, committee chairs, the NAMB state affiliates (especially
host state the Utah Association of Mortgage Brokers!) and the
24,000-plus NAMB members as well. But if it wasn't for the
inspiration and energy of these individuals to motivate the others
into action, these events would not have been possible. If I may
quote Roy Firestone, featured speaker at the NAMB 2004 Convention
and Exhibition Gala event, when he said to take the word
"impossible" and change it to "I'm possible."
So, if you're reading this article, take a second and think of
these unsung heroes who work in the background to make our industry
better, and say thanks!
Joel M. Berman is president of The Mortgage Press Ltd. and
past president of The New York Association of Mortgage Brokers. He
may be reached at (800) 890-8090, ext. 310 or e-mail
[email protected].
