NEPC holds sixth annual expo in Boston
NEPC holds sixth annual expo in Boston
BOSTON -- The trade show may be the raison d'etre of the New England Produce Council's annual Produce & Floral Expo, but before the opening of the sixth annual gathering, held Wednesday, April 5 at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, a number of preliminary events were held.
As in previous years, attendees gathered on the evening before the expo for a cocktail party, held this year at the elegant Omni Parker House.
Wednesday's activities began with a keynote breakfast, where NEPC President Robert McGowan of Advantage Sales & Marketing/ESM welcomed everyone, and then introduced keynote speaker Mark Sanborn.
The president of Sanborn & Associates Inc., an idea lab dedicated to developing leaders in business and life, opened his motivational speech by saying that leaders "don't have to be clairvoyant, they just have to be clear." He added, "Just do your job right," and people will tell others about you.
Commenting on the organizational chart common to many businesses, he said that while "we live in an age of titles, you don't need a title to be a leader." On the contrary, many of those in the middle or lower rungs of any organization can still exhibit leadership qualities. In fact, people without titles often make a big difference in many businesses.
Leaders, said Mr. Sanborn, always increase three things: relationships, outcomes and improvements. He further defined leadership as "an invitation to greatness we extend to others." And true leaders "must set a higher standard" in their everyday conduct. He outlined four keys to leadership.
First, leaders must master themselves before leading others. To this end, a leader must be competent, exhibit trustworthy character, and make a connection with others. "Treat customers and colleagues as if they were friends," he advised.
Second, a leader must have focus. "Focused attention beats brains and braun and technology," he said, and "focus on what's important now."
Third, a leader must "work together" with others. As Mr. Sanborn put it, a good leader will "tap into the minds of others."
Finally, good leaders will improve their IQ, which he defined as implementation quotient. "We don't lack for ideas," he said, "it's what you do with the ideas."
Before adjourning the keynote breakfast and opening the expo, which drew over 225 exhibitors this year, Bozzuto's Inc. was named best single booth, and T. Marzetti Co. was named best multiple booth, of the 2006 expo.
(Photos from the event will appear in the April 10 issue of The Produce News.)
As in previous years, attendees gathered on the evening before the expo for a cocktail party, held this year at the elegant Omni Parker House.
Wednesday's activities began with a keynote breakfast, where NEPC President Robert McGowan of Advantage Sales & Marketing/ESM welcomed everyone, and then introduced keynote speaker Mark Sanborn.
The president of Sanborn & Associates Inc., an idea lab dedicated to developing leaders in business and life, opened his motivational speech by saying that leaders "don't have to be clairvoyant, they just have to be clear." He added, "Just do your job right," and people will tell others about you.
Commenting on the organizational chart common to many businesses, he said that while "we live in an age of titles, you don't need a title to be a leader." On the contrary, many of those in the middle or lower rungs of any organization can still exhibit leadership qualities. In fact, people without titles often make a big difference in many businesses.
Leaders, said Mr. Sanborn, always increase three things: relationships, outcomes and improvements. He further defined leadership as "an invitation to greatness we extend to others." And true leaders "must set a higher standard" in their everyday conduct. He outlined four keys to leadership.
First, leaders must master themselves before leading others. To this end, a leader must be competent, exhibit trustworthy character, and make a connection with others. "Treat customers and colleagues as if they were friends," he advised.
Second, a leader must have focus. "Focused attention beats brains and braun and technology," he said, and "focus on what's important now."
Third, a leader must "work together" with others. As Mr. Sanborn put it, a good leader will "tap into the minds of others."
Finally, good leaders will improve their IQ, which he defined as implementation quotient. "We don't lack for ideas," he said, "it's what you do with the ideas."
Before adjourning the keynote breakfast and opening the expo, which drew over 225 exhibitors this year, Bozzuto's Inc. was named best single booth, and T. Marzetti Co. was named best multiple booth, of the 2006 expo.
(Photos from the event will appear in the April 10 issue of The Produce News.)
