Issue link: http://palletcentral.uberflip.com/i/1436421
PalletCentral • November-December 2021 13 T he National Wooden Pallet and Container Association's September annual leadership event in Orlando, Florida, was later in the year than normal due to the pandemic, yet it was a timely delivery of important information and considerations for 2022 business planning. e event attracted more than 500 attendees who packed the session rooms eager to know what is coming in the future of the industry. e annual exposition boasted a sold-out room with 34 vendors, and lots of meaningful connections. Eager attendees and vendors were grateful to be back face to face and share innovations and ideas. e expo hall was also the backdrop for the Pallet Foundation annual fundraiser. Auctioneer extraordinaire, Bill MacCauley of John Rock, and all generous buyers and contributors, helped raise almost $300,000 towards projects that benefit our industry. NWPCA did not disappoint with the sessions, but it really hit the ball out of the park when it comes to providing motivational leadership-centric keynotes. Schooled on Employee Retention Opening keynote speaker Clint Pulver kicked off the event with an entertaining and insightful message on workforce development, leadership and accountability to the company team. "You are the reason people stay and the reason people leave," he said about employee retention, "most managers have no idea why they are doing poorly." e attendees were attentive as Pulver held them accountable for their company workforce. As a millennial, Pulver has gone undercover in 181 organizations and interviewed 10,000 employees, which are documented in his book "Undercover Millennial." ere is one common response that he hears from happy employees when he asks about working at the company: "Yes I love it here, Sally is a great manager." He says that great leaders are creating organizations that people love, and that is the key to employee retention. Pulver mentioned four types of managers, and asked attendees to locate themselves on the spectrum. e Removed Manager is low on standards (maintaining a structured workplace) and connection Clint Pulver Ross Bernstein