10 excuses....

[Farrell]

Certainly there are conflicts along the way and life gets in the way of some things we want to do - including conventions. But I think this thread is questioning the commitment to the profession of piano techs that have either never been or rarely been to a convention.

I do one or two a year. I wish I could do more.

I look around my local chapter the meeting before the Annual Convention. We have 35 or so members. Obviously quite a few more techs in the area that are not members. Commonly 15 show up for the meetings. I can pick out about four or five techs that I have seen at a convention - state/regional/Annual - in the past 4 years. When the question is asked: "Who is going to Chicago at the end of this month", three hands went up, including mine (all, or course are folks I have seen at conventions before).

I suspect some get into a rut with tuning/servicing/rebuilding, and an interesting and challenging profession becomes little more than a way to pay the bills. The medical and other professions have mandatory continuing education requirements. Not that I think we need to have mandatory requirements, but it does point to the utility of quality continuing industry education.

My wife attends (actually plans them) many medical (mostly oncology-related) conventions. I have attended many NWWA (National Water Well Association) conventions (and related conventions/seminars) in years past. I guarantee you, our PTG conventions are absolutely TOP NOTCH! What a resource. Quite simply no opportunity quite like it. Not going is like operating in a vacuum (IMHO).

I'll stop now. I'm going to go and clean my shop. I know I built a bench and put it in here somewhere..........

Terry Farrell
  
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Mike Kurta" <mkurta@adelphia.net>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Tuesday, June 11, 2002 6:55 AM
Subject: Re: 10 excuses....


    Wim:
    These are actual excuses I have heard from others.  Terry is right, why anyone seriously involved in this professional would not take advantage of a great opportunity like a national convention eludes me.  We are fortunate there IS a convention of this caliber for such a small organization, and equally fortunate to even HAVE PTG.  Many occupations larger than ours have no such group.
    Mike
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Wimblees@aol.com 
  To: pianotech@ptg.org 
  Sent: Monday, June 10, 2002 11:42 PM
  Subject: Re: 10 excuses....


  In a message dated 6/11/02 12:45:56 AM !!!First Boot!!!, mkurta@adelphia.net writes: 



    It would be interesting to poll PTG members (both associates and RPT) as to why they don't attend national conventions.  After going to seven, I seem to see the same faces year after year.  Curious...... 

    My picks for reasons folks don't attend conventions. 
       1.  Not interested 
       2.  Costs too much 
       3.  Too far away 
       4.  I know enough already 
       5.  I'll lose too much business when away 
       6.  I'm shy and not a good mixer 
       7.  Can't get away 
       8.   
       9.                               YOUR CHOICE...... 
       10. 

                     Mike Kurta, RPT               



  Mike 

  I am curious, are these your excuses, or these the excuses you have heard others give as to why they don't attend the PTG convention? 

  I see the same faces year after year, too. I call them the perennials. They keep popping up year after year. These people have become my friends, and when I travel around the counrtry, I know I can stop by and see them. On our way to Portland, Oregon several years ago, my wife and I satyed with several friends, and had meals with several more. And when we're going to New York in a couple of weeks, We're having dinner with four of them. 

  As far as #4 is concerned, the day I think I know enough, is the day I'll stop working, because I don't want to cheat my customers. 

  As for 8, 9, and 10. How about: 8. I don't care enough about my customers to give them the very best. 9. I've always done it that way before, so it's got to be the best way. And last but not least, 10. I'm too stupid to know better. 

  Wim