FSN Meetings

FSN meetings are held two or three times per year. Details of the next scheduled meeting—our 34th since the group’s founding—will be provided in the right sidebar as they become available. Click headings below to see recaps of the 2011 meetings.


September 2011 | Phoenix | 33rd Meeting



Dates: 23–24 Sep 2011
Meeting site: Wigwam Resort
Host member: Manning Group
Guest speaker: Jennifer Tarantino-Urogi, National Coordinator for Project Services, Hertz Furniture Systems

Recap for Fri, 23 Sep (all day)

  1. Presentation by Jennifer Tarantino-Urogi on Hertz Furniture Systems’ product and service offering for education environments.
  2. Review and feedback on development of new FSN website.
  3. Discussion of replica truck re-orders.
  4. Discussion led by Gene Kosman on change order process and restoring timeliness in the payment of installers’ invoices.
  5. Tour of Manning Group facility in Phoenix and introduction to the MG team and processes.
  6. Tour of DIRTT’s new Green Learning Center and manufacturing facility in Phoenix.
  7. Group dinner at Litchfield’s Restaurant within the Wigwam Resort.

Recap for Sat, 24 Sep (morning)

  1. FSN financial report.
  2. Group discussion of FSN’s future strategic direction.
  3. Group discussion of new member recruitment process.
  4. Suggestions and discussion of agenda items for future meetings.

Photo Gallery

June 2011 | Chicago | 32nd Meeting



Date: 11 Jun 2011
Meeting site: ISI headquarters, 800 Morse Ave, Elk Grove Village, Illinois
Host member: ISI

Recap (all day)

  1. Review of financial benchmarking data. Presenter and discussion moderator: Carl Clappison.
  2. Comparative visions for FSN’s future and related marketing proposals. Presenter and discussion moderator: George Kosovic.
  3. Review of FSN finances and budgeting issues.
  4. Benefit to honor Barry Coyle at The Artisan Cellar in the Merchandise Mart.
  5. Group dinner at Wildfire, 159 West Erie Street.

March 2011 | Las Vegas | 31st Meeting



Meeting dates: 3–4 Mar 2011
Meeting site: The Mirage Hotel & Casino (Martinique A&B, Barbados A&B)
Guest speaker: Terry Dixon representing Trendway and TrendWall

Recap for Thu, 3 Mar (afternoon)

  1. Individual market review.
  2. Review of moderator candidates.
  3. Tour of Folio facility. Organizer: Rico Petrini Jr., Service West.
  4. Group dinner at Mastro’s Ocean Club – Crystals at City Center, 3720 Las Vegas Blvd South

Recap for Fri, 4 Mar (all day)

  1. Technology advances in the works: Business system software for Blackberry, Dean McIntyre, McIntyre Group; business system web-based client interface, Mark Vignoles, Service West; field applications for iPad, Mark Cordell Jr., Environments Plus.
  2. Refresher on 2006–2009 FSN marketing programs; potential future activities.
  3. Presentation of current TrendWall product line by Terry Dixon.
  4. Best practice review: wall installation, pricing, fuel surcharges, travel expenses, equipment, crates, reports.
  5. Report on launch of SwiftSpace mobile workstation product line. Presenter: Dean McIntyre.
  6. Discussion and decision making regarding strategy for 2011 financial benchmarking.
  7. New-member suggestions.
  8. By-law review.
  9. Nominations and elections for Executive Committee VP and new member.