On Track for Chicago

Chicago is not just an award-winning movie this year; it also is home to the 2003 Building Service Contractors Association International (BSCAI) Convention and Trade Show which rolls into the Windy City March 7 through 11. And despite the rough economy, this year’s convention hopes to keep building service contractors “On Track For Success,” the show’s theme.

Held at the McCormick Place Lakeside Center and Hyatt Regency McCormick Place, the BSCAI annual event helps BSCs learn how to give their customers a better product.
“People are faced with challenges and looking for ways to improve their business and you can certainly get answers from a trade show,” says Ernest E. Clark, Jr., CBSE, convention chairman and president of Mister Kleen Maintenance in Alexandria, Va.

Attendance continues to rise each year, and the trend is expected to continue. John Ezzo, last year’s chairman and president of New Image Building Services in Mt. Clemens, Mich., attributed the increase to the rough economy. With little economic change from last year, Clark echoes those same feelings.

“I think when you’re facing struggles in the business or economy, people look for ways to get better, smarter, more innovative in their own business,” says Clark. “You need to get out there and shake things up.”

As in the past, every day offers educational sessions, but this year, several department-specific tracks will help BSCs strengthen their businesses overall. Sales can learn the steps to success while human resources learn how to find the right employee. There will be classes for both residential and commercial businesses as well as how to survive the first few years, or what to do after a merger.

After the classes, don’t be afraid to network.

“You get out what you put in. Go to the sessions and be willing to walk up to someone and ask to expand on what they talked about,” says Clark.

Clark also recommends knowing ahead of time what you want to get out of the convention. That way, you will be sure your time and money were well invested. And with so many different options, plan on having a tight schedule. Here are some highlights:

Day-long seminars: Saturday’s Supervision Seminar teaches the traits you need to become an effective leader. On Sunday and Monday, the Bidding Seminar focuses on the basic information needed for proper bidding and estimating.

Tackling the odds: Each day of the convention will begin with a general session to motivate BSCs and offer sound advice to share with the rest of the company back at home. In Saturday’s Opening General Session, Pro Football Hall of Famer and former Chicago Bears’ linebacker Mike Singletary, will incorporate his knowledge of the football field to the business world. Singletary will speak from experience on how to overcome the odds and win the big play. Also, his book Daddy’s Home at Last: What it Takes to Put Families First teaches working parents how to juggle both career and family.

Success story: Mac Anderson, the founder, past president and CEO of Successories, also held these titles for McCord Travel. Both businesses are leaders in their industries of employee motivation and travel, respectively. In Sunday’s General Session, Anderson will demonstrate his leadership qualities and penchant for success no matter what the business. Also author of three books, Anderson will teach how to hire employees based on company’s specific strengths and weaknesses.

Negotiations: Author and consultant James F. Hennig, Ph.D., is back by demand this year after impressing attendees at the 1998 BSCAI convention. Dr. Hennig will provide insight on negotiation strategies during Monday’s General Session and teach how to improve your negotiating effectiveness. Topics Dr. Hennig will cover include using the “Platinum Rule,” countering strategies and tactics and common errors negotiators make.

Customer needs: In Tuesday’s General Session, Richard D. Baier, a former BSC and currently in the real estate business will help contractors figure out exactly what their customers want. Baier is a past international president of the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) and currently the managing director of the CB Richard Ellis office in Kansas City, Mo.

Singletary, Anderson and Hennig will be available to sign copies of their respective publications immediately after their presentations.

Your Kind of Town
After the convention on Tuesday, attendees can take optional tours of either the Field Museum or the Shedd Aquarium and Oceanarium. Aside from the Field Museum’s permanent exhibits of natural history is the touring exhibition of the history of baseball in America. At the Shedd, there is a special whale and dolphin demonstration besides the sea-life of the world’s largest indoor aquarium. Unlike last year, however, these tours are for entertainment only and not cleaning-related. Each tour is $45 per person.

These two guided tours are just the beginning of what Chicago has to offer. With plenty to see and do, convention goers may be tempted to take a holiday to experience it all.

For more culture, take in Chicago’s other museums. The Adler Planetarium offers state-of-the-art technological exhibits of the stars. Visit the Museum of Science and Industry to see an actual World War II German submarine or learn about the advances in genetics research. If science isn’t your thing, the Art Institute of Chicago showcases works by Monet, Picasso, van Gogh and Warhol, to name a diverse few.

But Chicago has more to offer than just museums. The “Magnificent Mile” of North Michigan Avenue and the flagship Marshall Fields are perfect shopping starters. Navy Pier offers a variety of entertainment for the entire family with its replicated original 15-story Ferris wheel, IMAX Theater and Chicago Children’s Museum. For the sports fan, the Chicago Blackhawks hockey team and Chicago Bulls basketball team are both at home for the weekend and playing at the United Center.

On the cuisine side, the Chicago Chop House, 60 W. Ontario St., is rated one of the finest independent steakhouses in the country. Or try Harry Caray’s Restaurant, 33 W. Kinzie St., home of the late Cubs announcer’s Hall of Fame. Plus, its never known who might stop by. If BSCs would rather get some grease in their diet, Billy Goats Tavern, 430 N. Michigan Ave. and also in Navy Pier, is still serving up “cheezborgers, cheezborgers.” Made famous by John Belushi and “Saturday Night Live,” the tavern is a hot spot for reporters and the media.

And what is Chicago dining without a deep-dish pizza? The Original Gino’s East, 633 N. Wells St., claims to be the original maker and is celebrating 30 years of tradition. One look on the inside and contractors might start thinking of making Gino’s a potential client. But unfortunately for BSCs, Gino’s allows graffiti on the walls and won’t want them to clean it up.

After dinner, come out and experience Chicago’s famous nightlife. Enjoy a laugh at Second City, the notable improvisational comedy that gave rise to comedians Bill Murray, John Belushi and George Wendt. Musically, Chi-town is known for its own version of the blues. You won’t have to walk far to find a hip club.

So if you have time to spare from your busy schedule, take in a sight or two and you will quickly understand why Chicago is said to be your kind of town.

To register for the convention either call 800-368-3414 or 703-359-7090; fax 703-352-0493; mail your form to BSCAI, 10201 Lee Highway, Suite 225, Fairfax, VA 22030.