Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/63983
MHI FOCUS A Noticeable, Real Belief in the Future BY Richard "Dick" Jennison It's hard to believe but I've just celebrated my first 60 days as MHI's President and CEO. During these past, hectic two months, I have been busy – from my first day on the job at- tending the 2012 MHI Legislative Conference and Winter Meeting to working on MHI's key legislative and regulatory agendas with key Congressional members, to meeting with key industry leaders to better understand the issues facing the manufactured and modular housing industries, to visiting a local manufactured home community to see how that industry sector is responding to changing market forces, to attend- ing the Tunica Show to see what's happening in the world of manufactur- ing and retailing. As I write this column, I am participating in the 2012 National Congress & Expo for Manufactured and Modular Housing, being held in Las Vegas, April 10-12. In all my travels and meetings, I have been fa- vorably impressed with the energy and renewed sense of optimism that many in the manufactured and modular indus- tries are cautiously, but openly, expressing. This is particularly true of the discussions/talk in the halls and on the exhibit floor here at the Las Vegas show. Industry veterans are telling me that both industries are in "much better shape" thanmany would have predicted only six months ago. That's not to say that there are not many MAY 2012 24 THE JOURNAL challenges still ahead of us, especially in light of the continuing uncertainties emanating from the overreach of the Dodd-Frank regulatory re- form legislation, along with the implications of the SAFE Act and other financial/regulatory developments. But the first step to industry revitalization I want to personally thank each and every one of the more than 700 industry members who and rebound has to take place in the collective industry "psyche" – moving from one of spiral- ing pessimism to one of optimism and a belief that better days are ahead. That change in mental outlook and atti- tude is taking place now and is having a positive impact on our place in the housing marketplace. I want to personally took the time and made the financial investment to attend the 2012 National Congress & Expo. thank each and every one of the more than 700 in- dustry members who took the time and made the fi- nancial investment to at- tend the 2012 National Congress & Expo. I fully recognize that economic hardships have imposed limits on the numbers of staff that companies are able to send to these types of industry forums. Yet more than 700 industry members demonstrated in no uncertain terms that they wanted to learn the latest trends and developments taking place inmanufactured and modular housing. There was also a very real sense, reinforced by comments I heard, that those of the exhibit floor were busy "taking or- ders" and getting on with business again. Speakers and educational sessions tackled a host of challenges and opportunities for our in- dustries. Topics ranged from innovative ap- proaches for increasing sales/profits in today's housing market to navigating today's challeng- ing land-lease community market to complying with new state and federal consumer protection laws as they relate to retailing and community operations. All of these sessions were very in- formative, with information and perspectives providing a wealth of information touching on all aspects of manufactured and modular hous- ing. TheNational Communities Council also held a special one-day forum the day before the Na- tional Congress&Expo to explore how to build a stronger, more forward-looking future for manufactured home communities. Again, the topics covered ranged from alternative financ- ing programs to reaching out to new markets to creating new communities programs and serv- ices to better serve a changing marketplace. During these three days, keynote speakers at the meeting's general sessions included Dr. David Crowe, chief economist for the National Association of Home Builders, and John K. McIlwain, senior resident fellow/J. Ronald Terwilliger Chair ofHousing at the Urban Land Institute. It's worth noting that these housing leaders not only spoke on how their respective organizations are looking at manufactured and modular housing; they also came to learn and better understand how our industries will be playing a stronger role in tomorrow's housing marketplace. The 2012 National Industry Awards presen- tations were another clear demonstration of our commitment and dedication to doing it right. Award-winning retailers continue to work hard on expanding existing markets for our homes, as well as reaching out to educate new home-