We were honored to have our President, Dallas Steiner, be the featured guest on John Allin’s radio show “Managing Snow and Ice with John Allin.”  Managing Snow and Ice is a one hour weekly radio program dedicated to covering issues and topics that affect snow professionals.  The host of the show, John Allin, is the original founder of the Snow & Ice management Association (SIMA) and has been a leader in the formation of the Accredited Snow Contractor’s Association (ASCA).  With over 30 years in the snow management industry, combined with his vast experience, Allin is recognized as the foremost snow and ice industry consultant in the country today.

John’s interview with Dallas covers a variety of topics ranging from Dallas’ role with Ventrac, International sales and how Ventrac is an ideal piece of sidewalk snow removal equipment for snow contractors.  You can hear the interview with Dallas now by clicking on the live recording link below.

Interview with Dallas Steiner Only
Full Show – Managing Snow & ICE with John A Allin. 4/2/2013

SIMA organized a terrific event and it was evident that lots of hard work and attention to detail was put in to planning for all to run smoothly. The event had a very educational, interesting, and even entertaining lineup this year. The first day was organized with more of a personal twist focusing on growth at a personal level that feeds over in to the business side of things. Day two focused more on the customer side of things and how snow contractors and clients can work together for mutual results.

Attendees of the Snow Strategies Forum

Day one featured Steve McClatchy, founder of Alleer Training and Consulting. Steve’s wit and humor, coupled with his highly motivational time management solutions, made for a very fun day and entertaining session. His presentation had a focus on productivity, finding more time in a day, building better relationships, and reducing stress in the workplace as well as our daily lives. His unique style of thinking went beyond the normal paths our brains operate to offer very effective solutions to some old habits or ruts we get in to. Steve’s website is at www.alleer.com. If you find that some personal growth and organization is in order, check out what he offers. I can say that I walked away with many new ideas on how to manage time, balance life and stay more organized than I would have imagined.

Day two was facilitated by Innovation Games, who led a highly interactive approach to connect the end consumer with the snow contractor. The creators of Innovation Games set up a panel of consumers that included Facility Directors, Account Managers and VP of Operations for businesses such as Walgreens, OfficeMax and ARAMARK.

The consumer panel discusses business with snow contractors during the Innovation Games

The panel of consumers engaged with snow contractors in a series of exercises designed to share their needs when it comes to what they expect from each other. The exercises allowed both the consumer and the contractor to interact in a way that is not normally done in every day business. The distinctive approach of Innovation Games allowed each side to discover market problems and opportunities in the industry while finding ways to work better together in the future. This kind of interaction was the first of its kind offered to SIMA members. You can read more about their collaborative play format at the Innovation Games website.

Ventrac is proud to be a continuing sponsor and partner to the SIMA organization.  SIMA is a valuable resource for snow contractors through their networking and educational events.   If you are not already aware, the resources and networking opportunities on www.goplow.com is  a great place to start learning what SIMA offers for snow industry contractors. We are slowly approaching the winter season and now is a great time to check the SIMA website and learn more about their membership. For more information on Ventrac snow clearing options for sidewalks, compact areas and more, visit our site at www.ventrac.com or see our snow management equipment at www.ventrac.com/advantages/snow/.

Snow and Ice Management Association

No one really wants to think about snow and ice in the middle of the summer, but next week we are heading to an industry show that is all about the wintery stuff!    It is time for the Snow and Ice Management Association’s 14th  Annual Snow and Ice Symposium.    This year, held in Schaumburg, Illinois, the show promises to provide snow professionals with the newest trends and best practices in snow and ice management.

Several of us from Ventrac, me included, will be traveling to Schaumburg next week for this informative trade show.  With our full line of Ventrac snow equipment in tow, our booth will be set up and chocked full of everything one needs to handle snow, and to be armed with the right tools long before the season arrives.   And why not be ahead of the game?  It is important to stay on top of the industry with new ways to address specific challenges,  like clearing sidewalks.   Ventrac tractors are raising the bar when it comes to sidewalk snow removal.  They fit the bill perfectly.   Fitting nicely on sidewalks,  the solution to one of the biggest challenges faced by snow professionals today is right at your fingertips…..Ventrac.   Read what John Allin has to say about Ventrac and clearing sidewalks.

Coming Up Next Week...Don't Miss it!

BOOK GIVEAWAY!

Ventrac is giving away books!   Making its debut at the show is the second edition of John Allin’s book,  “Managing Snow and Ice… The Definitive Guide To Professional Snow and Ice Management.”     We will have a drawing in our booth to give away a copy of the book every hour of the trade show.    Stop by our booth to enter and you could win a copy, personally autographed by John.     If you don’t win a copy or want additional copies, the publisher, GIE Media, will have plenty in their booth at the show…..stop by to see them.

MORE TO OFFER!

The SIMA show is more than a trade show.  With educational sessions, roundtable discussions and mini-presentations from industry experts, the show will gear up snow industry professionals for the upcoming season with discussions on everything from newest trends to sales and marketing.   The range of topics is broad and there is something for everyone.

Visit www.sima.org for more information about how you can join SIMA or to get more details about the trade show.   For compact snow removal solutions, visit www.ventrac.com/snow.

See you in Chicago!

Because John’s work includes consulting for snow contractors on a daily basis,  we value his thoughts and opinions about what difficulties face the snow industry.   Sidewalk clearing continues to be a battle that contractors face every year, so we wanted to find out how Ventrac might help solve that issue.   We spoke with John about how he might see Ventrac fitting in the snow industry and how the equipment can help contractors best handle the monumental task of clearing snow from sidewalks…..and do it on a safer level.   As John learned more about Ventrac and its capabilities he was clearly excited by what he saw.  “It is articulating, four wheel drive, cab enclosed (heated) and has attachments ideally suited for sidewalk work.  The snowblower attachment cleans down to pavement.  The power broom is just like a walk-behind broom (only MUCH faster), ” comments John.

John toured our manufacturing plant to get a first hand look at how Ventrac equipment is crafted and also participated in a demo of the tractor and snow attachments at work.   “I watched this machine push 12” of snow 20 yards up a 20 degree incline and not slip once…”, says John.

John put a few of his thoughts down on his blog concerning the plight of the sidewalk clearing battle that faces snow contractors.   You will want to read what he says about Ventrac.  “THIS piece of equipment will likely redefine how medium to large snow contractors address sidewalk work.”

You can read John’s writings on John’s Official Blog site.

Thank you John for taking a day from your busy schedule to come see Ventrac!  We hope you had fun!

His article has also been reposted on the Ventrac Sidewalk Snow Management webpage.

Ventrac customer, Wade Stoughton

We love to hear from our customers!   And we love to see Ventrac popping up in some of the most unusual places across the country.   In Duluth, Minnesota, the Aerostich company mailed out their annual holiday supplement and what can you find on the front cover?    A happy customer with his Ventrac!    Just today, we got a great email from this customer who wanted to share his story with us.

Wade Stoughton,  and his Ventrac, model 4131, just made their photo modeling debut on the new 2010 holiday supplement catalog for Aerostich RiderWearhouse.   Wade purchased his Ventrac last December from his local Ventrac dealer, Barry Frey of Frey Tree Specialists in Morgantown, West Virginia.   Wade used his Ventrac and blade all winter plowing the road near his home, putting over 60 hours on his unit, while keeping warm and toasty in his favorite weather-resistant riding apparel from Aerostich.

Wade wrote, “Aerostich is a company that makes and  supplies motorcycle apparel and accessories.  They are located in Duluth, Minnesota and the one piece suit that I’m wearing I bought from them sixteen years ago.  It, like the Ventrac, is a quality versatile product that has served me well for many years of riding. ”

Ventrac customer, Wade Stoughton, enjoying his Ventrac while keeping warm with apparel from Aerostich RiderWearhouse

Wade and his Ventrac made a great photo cover for the new holiday supplement!  Even though Ventrac makes a cab for his tractor,  Wade doesn’t seem to be missing out and certainly looks warm in his Aerostich apparel while enjoying his Ventrac!   Doesn’t he illustrate the perfect combo of snow removal perfection?  A Ventrac tractor and Aerostich clothing!   Makes you just want to go buy them all!

To find out more about Aerostich apparel and accessories or to purchase your own, visit www.aerostich.com

Aerostich offers several thousand specialized products that help make riding better, safer, more comfortable and easier. Many of the Aerostich Riderwearhouse  catalog items are unique, or hard to find elsewhere.

To find your local Ventrac dealer and get your own tractor today, go to our dealer locator.   More about Ventrac tractors, cabs, snow removal equipment and all-season attachments can be found at www.ventrac.com

Additional footage of Ventrac snow removal equipment in action can be viewed on Ventrac’s YouTube channel.

Thanks to Wade for sharing!