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February 2014

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February 2014 | Construction Equipment Distribution | www.cedmag.com | 7 BY KIM PHELAN How many times have you ever wanted to just bust out singing till your esophagus ached – while sitting in the backseat of a taxicab? I did. And neither I nor my three companions have probably ever tried to sing Carly Rae Jepsen's "Call Me Maybe" with so much sincere feeling (and volume) as we did that night – if, indeed, ever at all. It's all because we were in the "Karaoke Cab." I made up that name, but that's exactly what it was. We hopped in, gave the guy our location, and darned if that entrepreneurial cabby didn't hand us four microphones and a song book from which to make a selection – in the back, we each had a monitor facing us so we could follow along with the words. And then, when the music started, pink and purple strobe lights flashed and swirled around our laughing, crooning heads. I'll bet that driver's equipment investment paid for itself in refer- rals and longer fares within the first month. Don't you love it when you see someone plying their trade with total originality and ingenuity? I hope you won't think less of me if I admit this musical extravaganza took place in Houston right before the kickoff of the AED Summit. (I swear I was with respectable people, although they obviously cannot truth- fully make the same claim.) You're probably wishing right now that you had been there – yeah, in the cab and at Summit. I tried to tell you for months that you needed to attend, and maybe you're the one who thought, "Not this year; I have to go to CONEXPO." Well, I can tell you for sure that CONEXPO, for all its trappings and, ahem, indulgences, could not compare to what you missed at (if you missed) the amazing Summit experience. Every year, on principle, I vow not to divulge the details of the fabulous keynotes and other highlights, parlay- ing their gems into stirring prose for your reading enjoyment. Wouldn't be fair to those who made the effort to attend, right? Wait for it, wait for it. Ok, against my better judgment, I'm going to discuss a few tidbits from Summit, but only because (a.) as a trained blabber, I mean journalist, I just can't keep good information to myself, and (b.) I want to impress upon you that you must never ever skip Summit again without a note from your doctor, mother, or spouse; and I'm okay with you sending the latter individual as your proxy, if necessary. In addition to unparalleled net- working (aka talking and sharing ideas among humans) at CONDEX, Suite meetings, parties, and the late-night lobby bar, Summit's major keynoters were out-of-the-park home runs, period. Let me give you a couple of quick sound bytes: A silver-haired bulldog whose lively oratory skills made us forget it was 8 in the morning, U.S. Chamber's Chief Economist Marty Regalia reminded us that, "Entitlements are the most predictable problem on the horizon because it is based on demographics and age. If we don't address these problems now, that green wedge (in- terest) will eat our lunch tomorrow." Solutions to America's problems are within reach – including sensible im- migration, infrastructure and energy policies – but "we're just not doing them [yet]." Jason Dorsey, the self-proclaimed "Gen Y Guy," leaped off the stage immediately and made us all laugh at ourselves as well as his own genera- tion. Although it's true that the Gen Y'ers who have entered the work force are largely entitled 20-Somethings suffering from adultolescence (de- layed adulthood), what I took away from Dorsey's talk is that (1.) tolerance among the generations is possible through understanding, and (2.) that Gen Y "kids" are teachable. Also, since they accept they'll never know what a Social Security check looks like, their No. 1 priority in work is: happiness. And by the way, the first thing a lot of them do when they wake up in the morning is: check Facebook. People were still talking and laugh- ing about Dorsey at the Thursday night Welcome Party. And the following night, they were still talking about Dr. Ben Carson. His stories and discussion about common sense and dumping "political correctness" really hit home. He also outlined a truly plausible health care plan that he is helping to develop; one that would potentially provide every citizen with a health savings account that is transferable among family members and can be accumulated year after year. By 2016, Carson thinks we'll be ready for some bona fide reform. I agree and will be watching his career with great interest. Thanks for reading. 'I Threw a Wish in the Well, Don't Ask Me...' Okay, I'll Tell If you know these song lyrics, you either heard my cab story at Summit, or you're closely acquainted with a Gen Y'er – or both. Either way, Summit was a smash. Editor's Note KIM PHELAN (kphelan@aednet.org) is the executive editor of Construction Equipment Distribution and director of programs for AED.

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