Hardest-working man in Arkansas

I grew up in New York, and often spent Friday nights at the Apollo Theater in Harlem. It was there that I first saw Mr. Please, Please, Please, the hardest-working man in show business: James Brown.

However, after attending another kind of show, the Arkansas Homefurnishings Market, sponsored by the Arkansas Home Furnishings Assn., I’m beginning to think this title really should belong to Randy Lann, the group’s executive director.

Throughout the entire event, Randy seemed to be going in six different directions at once, answering questions, orchestrating events, working with buyers and exhibitors, and making sure that people like me were being well taken care of.

After visiting with Randy, I realized he could write a book (if he had the time) on multi-tasking. In addition to being the association’s go-to guy, Lann is active in a host of civic activities, including Pathfinders, CARTI, and the Arkansas Sheriff’s Ranch. He also is on the board of directors of the Arkansas Society of Assocation Executives and the Arkansas Society of Professional Lobbyists.

Oh, and in his spare time, he serves on the Miss Arkansas Pageant board. His wife, Cindy, is just as social and hospitable, and together they take care of association members like they would family.

Randy knows that to make an association and an association-run trade show a success, he has to remain totally focused on his customer. To that point, each year, Randy ties his show to a theme. This year, it was the Dukes of Furniture, based on the old “Dukes of Hazzard” TV series. Randy arranged to have the iconic orange car, the jeep and the tow-truck featured in the series on display at the show site.

Randy also had not one, but two, bands play on Saturday evening, right after a gourmet buffet.

As a service to exhibitors, Randy hires 20 or so people who unload exhibitors’ products at the show site’s dock. “We do whatever it takes to please them and make them feel good about being here,” he told me.

So simple, yet so effective. Regardless of the role we play in our business, we all would be wise to take a page from Randy’s book. It makes for wonderful reading.  (to add public comments click on "Add your Comment" below, or to email Ray directly click here.)