Page 4 - July-August 2025 REPORTER - optimized

LETTER FROM THE CHAIR

I'D LOVE TO MEET YOU!

BARBARA SCHERING

LBMAO Chair of the Board
CashierPRO Retail Systems Inc., North Bay

ne of the things I love about being the chair of the LBMAO They are an excellent opportunity to see what is new in the industry,
Ois getting to know our members across Ontario. Many of our check out the tried-and-true products, and even see what your
members are “meeting” me through this column, and I don’t feel I do competitors are buying or selling. Most importantly for me is social
a great job of showing who I am. I am not a writer at the best of times, interaction. Nothing beats the energy of in-person events where
and this article is being written within hours of the deadline! (Joanne, I people can laugh, mingle, and build rapport. A trade show gives value
truly apologize for my tardiness! Readers, I apologize for any grammar to the expense of attending the shows. Retailers are looking for deals
or spelling mistakes I missed. Joanne will not have time to correct them on products they know they can turn but may walk away with a new
all!!) Needless to say, I really hope I can meet many of you in person at addition to their product line. Vendors are able to write deals on
an upcoming event so you can see the real me. the standard items they sell and can introduce retailers to their new
Over the years, I have had the opportunity to review applications additions and maybe leave with a new customer. Even for established
for jobs, awards and even housing. I have often come away from vendor/retailer relationships, a trade show may be the only time you
this wishing that the person had sold themselves better or at least see each other in person. You may forget that you haven’t physically
mentioned something that would make me remember them. I have met after spending so much time on the phone or in a chat room with
another 16 months to figure out how to do that!! each other, but nothing beats a warm handshake when you say hello.
It is hard to believe that we are already over halfway through 2025! Plan on coming to one of our events! We would love to see you.
They say time flies when you are having fun, so I must be having a Are you having an event? Trevor Small is not only the president of our
ball—and I am! Working full time at a job I enjoy and being the chair association but also our roving reporter! Call him and let him know
of our fantastic association keeps me hopping. However, I still make what you have going on. It could be a milestone anniversary, a grand
time to play darts with friends, have regular dinners with my siblings, opening, a fundraiser, or a fun event you hold for your community. If
play cards with family and friends, and travel whenever possible. This you are like me and not great at blowing your own horn, let us do it for
year’s travel has taken me to Iceland, Halifax, Miramichi, Gananoque, you!
the Niagara region, Toronto, Manitoulin Island, and Sudbury. There are As I try to finish up my ramblings in a somewhat cohesive manner,
so many more places to go!! I think I may have identified one of my biggest issues with writing.
What is on the agenda for the second half of 2025? We still have I cannot type! I had this wonderful thought forming in my head, but I
golf in Orillia and London and the AGM in Huntsville. Of course, we still was still typing something from 5 minutes ago. By the time I finished I
have more training to offer this year. Remember, we do on-site boom couldn’t put the thought together again. By the way, I tried using voice-
truck and forklift training so get together with your neighbouring to-text, but I must speak too fast or unclearly, because the resulting
businesses and call us to set a date. There are also board and text was nothing like I thought I’d said! And I’m off track again!
committee meetings to attend. The exciting meetings for me are the On that note, I wish you and your families a safe and happy
show committee meetings! Not to let anything out of the bag, but yes, summer! Who knows, I may pop in to your store while I am travelling
the LBMAO is having a trade show in the spring of 2026! through your town so I can say hello.
Anyone who knows me knows that I LOVE trade shows. They are
much more enjoyable as a retailer than a vendor, but I still love them.

4 LBMAO Reporter - July-August 2025 www.lbmao.on.ca