Episode Transcript
WEBVTT
00:00:00.017 --> 00:00:07.617
I'd like to welcome Paige Lamthi and Mark Girardi from Butura and Girardi Greatest Artisans.
00:00:10.077 --> 00:00:15.137
Vashnavi Ramasami and Mr. Kanaan from Amam Granite.
00:00:15.697 --> 00:00:19.117
And Rita Campbell from Precious Souvenir.
00:00:19.597 --> 00:00:24.517
And Lennon Talasamani. Did I get that right, Lennon? Very close.
00:00:24.717 --> 00:00:26.937
From Salem Stone. So welcome.
00:00:27.477 --> 00:00:34.097
Thank you. Lennon? Thank you, Mike, for organizing this MB&A convention in Cleveland.
00:00:35.197 --> 00:00:39.457
To answer your question, what we are planning to show, we have a good display
00:00:39.457 --> 00:00:41.537
of a different variety of monuments.
00:00:42.217 --> 00:00:47.417
That includes a variety of shapes and colors, both domestic and imports.
00:00:47.737 --> 00:00:52.337
And you will also see a lot of beautiful carvings. And we'll have one section
00:00:52.337 --> 00:00:57.357
just for cremation monuments as that trend is increasing in our country.
00:00:58.337 --> 00:01:02.637
We pride ourselves in helping
00:01:02.637 --> 00:01:05.557
our customers sell so these new
00:01:05.557 --> 00:01:08.897
designs will help them sell more monuments we also
00:01:08.897 --> 00:01:12.177
pride ourselves with the technology solutions
00:01:12.177 --> 00:01:15.517
that we give and customers are aware of this software Salem
00:01:15.517 --> 00:01:19.437
inspired where they can view inventory design monuments
00:01:19.437 --> 00:01:22.377
so we have made some enhancements to that
00:01:22.377 --> 00:01:26.097
program so we'll share that and we
00:01:26.097 --> 00:01:29.597
also are starting this new nonprofit effort
00:01:29.597 --> 00:01:32.757
called Salem Cares where we are
00:01:32.757 --> 00:01:39.297
helping organizations that is looking for monuments they are traditionally they
00:01:39.297 --> 00:01:43.937
are not able to buy themselves for example we work with a company group called
00:01:43.937 --> 00:01:50.817
angel works they give monuments to families who have lost their children to cancer.
00:01:51.557 --> 00:01:57.717
So we'll have a booth within our setup explaining our Salem Cares as well.
00:01:58.057 --> 00:02:02.837
So broadly, you know, between our granite monuments, technology and Salem Cares,
00:02:02.917 --> 00:02:06.097
that's going to be our presentation this year. Thank you, Lennon.
00:02:06.597 --> 00:02:13.897
See, I went age before beauty as opposed to ladies first. So Rita, please, your comments.
00:02:14.817 --> 00:02:17.097
Hey, thank you again for hosting.
00:02:18.043 --> 00:02:20.943
So for us we feel that memorial portraits can play
00:02:20.943 --> 00:02:24.463
a key aspect in warming up a monument so
00:02:24.463 --> 00:02:27.903
we're going to be showcasing both our solid porcelain
00:02:27.903 --> 00:02:31.103
as well as our thin enamel stainless steel portrait
00:02:31.103 --> 00:02:33.823
line so visitors will be
00:02:33.823 --> 00:02:36.663
able to not only learn the difference between the two
00:02:36.663 --> 00:02:40.083
product lines but also the perceived strengths
00:02:40.083 --> 00:02:43.203
of each so they're going to be able to see the power and diversity
00:02:43.203 --> 00:02:46.163
of collaging multiple pictures together to
00:02:46.163 --> 00:02:49.243
give families amazing options as well
00:02:49.243 --> 00:02:54.543
as to see our ability to offer different colored style borders or our line of
00:02:54.543 --> 00:03:00.223
custom shapes and sizes we endeavor to showcase all that the memorial pictures
00:03:00.223 --> 00:03:07.123
can encompass so as well we have a unique crystal line, a variety of frames,
00:03:07.703 --> 00:03:12.583
personalized and custom urns, personalized rosaries and decades,
00:03:12.923 --> 00:03:17.683
and a plethora of customization options that we love to demonstrate.
00:03:17.983 --> 00:03:22.803
So our goal is to stimulate the creative juices so that our customers' families
00:03:22.803 --> 00:03:29.383
are given a wide array of choices to maximize the customization of their very personal stone.
00:03:30.103 --> 00:03:34.063
Thanks, Rita. I would not miss this convention for anything.
00:03:34.183 --> 00:03:37.983
It really sounds like it's going to be over the top.
00:03:38.403 --> 00:03:43.503
So, Lennon, if someone's trying to decide whether or not to attend the 2025
00:03:43.503 --> 00:03:46.343
show, what would you say to them?
00:03:47.363 --> 00:03:50.843
First of all, it's a great idea to visit Cleveland in winter, so they should do it.
00:03:51.883 --> 00:03:58.123
As jokes apart, I say that our convention has two purposes.
00:03:58.423 --> 00:04:02.303
One is for us to learn new things as well as to network. work.
00:04:02.463 --> 00:04:06.523
So when I say learn, not just, first of all, there'll be a variety of granite
00:04:06.523 --> 00:04:12.323
suppliers bringing a lot of new options that the monument dealers could use
00:04:12.323 --> 00:04:16.063
it and get informed about the options and industry trends.
00:04:16.623 --> 00:04:23.063
But in addition to granite suppliers, there are other portraits or even sandblast machineries.
00:04:23.543 --> 00:04:27.263
And there are, these days we see a lot of equipments on how to install the stone.
00:04:27.543 --> 00:04:33.303
So there's a variety of monument industry suppliers in one location.
00:04:33.303 --> 00:04:40.003
So I would say that it's a great learning experience combined with other sessions that we have every day.
00:04:40.383 --> 00:04:42.943
That is that normally you don't get a chance to learn.
00:04:43.563 --> 00:04:49.363
And second is networking with suppliers, with fellow monument dealers.
00:04:49.603 --> 00:04:54.363
And that could happen when you're sitting in a session, when you are in the
00:04:54.363 --> 00:04:57.163
exhibit hall or during dinners and lunches.
00:04:57.603 --> 00:05:01.363
And sometimes I have noticed in the past that.
00:05:02.227 --> 00:05:07.227
Someone from texas will learn a thing or two about how things are done in midwest
00:05:07.227 --> 00:05:12.907
and vice versa so again we talked about this cremation trend or whatever new in the industry,
00:05:13.667 --> 00:05:18.967
so i would say that if you're still considering whether to make it or not it's
00:05:18.967 --> 00:05:23.707
a great opportunity to learn new trends as well as network with your fellow
00:05:23.707 --> 00:05:28.127
industry people thank you lenin Rita, what are your thoughts?
00:05:28.967 --> 00:05:33.607
Now, similar to London's, of course, I think it's tremendously important for
00:05:33.607 --> 00:05:37.227
ones to attend these conventions and learn market trends.
00:05:37.767 --> 00:05:41.707
You know, suppliers endeavor to pay attention to what families are asking for
00:05:41.707 --> 00:05:44.367
in all areas, everywhere we sell to.
00:05:44.607 --> 00:05:50.107
And we constantly work to adjust to provide what's working.
00:05:50.867 --> 00:05:54.867
So memorialists who attend these conventions can stay ahead of the curve as
00:05:54.867 --> 00:06:00.587
they learn these trends and they can stay relevant while adjusting to an ever-changing market.
00:06:00.947 --> 00:06:06.707
In sales especially, these types of sales, you really need to stay connected to the consumer.
00:06:07.067 --> 00:06:12.907
So these conventions help to keep the excitement to the uniqueness of this industry forefront.
00:06:13.347 --> 00:06:18.727
There's no better way to network and stay excited about the industry while learning
00:06:18.727 --> 00:06:20.927
than to attend these conventions.
00:06:21.447 --> 00:06:26.107
And not to mention how nice it is to show up and support all the suppliers who
00:06:26.107 --> 00:06:31.187
are expending great effort to show support for all these beautiful businesses.
