Snow Show Attracts Record Numbers

ST. LOUIS – More than 500 snow and ice industry professionals gathered in St. Louis, June 6-8, for the fifth Snow and Ice Symposium, an annual conference hosted by the Snow & Ice Management Association (SIMA).

The show’s attendance, up 40 percent from last year, was a strong sign for the burgeoning snow and ice removal market.

“This year’s show was one of our best to date,” said Tammy Higham, executive director, SIMA, Erie, Pa.

“The show was truly a success in every sense of the word,” added John Allin, president, Snow Management Group, Erie, Pa.

SIMA honored Allin, who recently stepped down after five years as SIMA’s board president, with a multimedia presentation and awards reception.

During the event, Jeff Tovar, owner, Tovar’s Snowplowing, Elgin, Ill., was elected as the new president. “Jeff was the force that pushed us through this year’s strategic planning process, so I’m excited he will be leading SIMA through the next two years,” Higham said. Other newly elected board members include: Charles Glossop, vice president; Craig Geller, treasurer; and Sam Granados, secretary.

In addition to the award’s banquet, the Symposium included approximately 20 educational seminars, displays from more than 45 industry suppliers and an outdoor equipment area.

The sixth Snow and Ice Symposium will be held June 12-14, 2003, in Buffalo, N.Y.