I’m at the 12th Annual Snow & Ice Management Association (SIMA) Symposium in Louisville, KY.  I’ve attended a couple of the educational seminars and walked the trade show floor this afternoon.  Some new things are being exhibited.  Software is big at this years event. 

Probably the most exciting new thing is from goiLawn (www.goilawn.com).  It is a web-based package that allows you to measure sites electronically through a photo taken of the site(s) you are looking to measure up.  The photos are clear, and they allow you to view the site from 4 directions in addition to viewing from above.  They have commercial and residential sites (it was developed for landscapers, but adapts incredibly well for snow contractors).  While I’m not thrilled that someone has apparently taken pictures of my home from 5 different angles, from the air (not satellite) - what you can do with it is impressive.  You can automatically, with a few clicks, measure up pavement, sidewalks, roofs, etc.  You can zoom in close enough to see trees and shrubs, as well as light poles, signage, islands - even parking bumpers.  I did not specifically ask, but it appears all the photos are taken in summer so you’re not hampered by snow piles hiding obstacles in the parking lot(s).  It is quite affordable too, less than $1.50 per site.  You do have to purchase a set number of site visits, but it’s still affordable.  You can purchase a “test” package for 10 sites so you can get your feet wet.

I asked about coverage area - and was shown a map of where they currently have coverage.  I was not allowed to take the map as apparently they are abit embarrassed by the lack of “coverage”.  BUT - the “lack of coverage area” is predominantly rural.  Most cities in the USA have been photographed and apparently more counties are coming on-line each month.  Personally, knowing how long this has been on the market - I think the coverage area is impressive.  Not allowing “the map” to be taken seems shortsighted because it can save some heartache if you have to purchase a package only to find that “your market” is not yet covered.  It would be worth any snow professionals time to revisit the site regularly to know when their area is “up on-line”.

This tool will assist progressive snow professionals to accurately quote work under time pressures presented by disorganized property managers.  Sure wish this tool had been available when I was plowing.

In my travels, I had opportunity to visit Seoul, South Korea.  In the USA, we tend to lump North and South Korea together in our minds, when in fact they are so different.  The Airport in Seoul is likely THE nicest, most modern airport I visited anywhere in the world.  The people working in the airport were exceedingly pleasant, polite and genuinely concerned about serving the population moving through their facility in a professional manner.  The facility was very easy to manuver around in (all signage is in English as well as other languages) and elegant in every way.  South Koreans are our friends, and indeed are friends to the world travelers who pass though Seoul on their way to other destinations. 

When traveling to other regions of the world, attending snow industry trade functions, I had occassion to meet up with North Koreans too.  If not for their name tags - it would be hard to determine if they were North or South Korean residents.  North Korean people are not the North Korean government.  They are people, just like the rest of us.

For the most part, in every country I visited, the people were friendly and cordial.  It seems (to me) the people of most nations can get along well with people from other countries - it’s the governments who can’t seem to get along. 

It has been heartwarming to hear from so many about my ‘new chapter’.  One person wrote that he knew at somepoint I’d be back in the game working with snow contractors in some fashion.  We had lunch together last summer and he asked me if I missed being out in the snow during a storm.  I told him something along the lines of “no, I like sleeping in”.  However, this past winter I spend a fair amount of time working with melter customers during snow events.   I admit I enjoyed being “out there” in the mix - but I’ll not be back in a plow truck.  I’m getting older and working for days on end is not in the cards anymore.  I cannot rule out working a snow event with a contractor I’m assisting - but I have no desire to be a contractor myself anymore.  So - for Frank - thank you for the kind words.  And - to a certain extent - you were right.  Snow is in my blood.