You Have to Keep Learning

Chris Senske, Senske Services

Chris Senske, president of Senske Services in Kennewick, WA, has been in the industry all his life, yet he hasn’t stopped learning.  That’s one reason he continues to go to GIC and to send his key people, as well.  “The industry is always changing, which means education is ongoing,” said this industry veteran.  “I always take home ideas from the seminar program, and recently have concentrated on those sessions that discuss HR issues, share benchmarking data, and provide tips on how to deal with the increasing number of government regulations.”

Senske’s, whose company has eight branch locations primarily throughout the northwest, recalled his first PLCAA conference, a precursor to GIC. “It was 1981 or ’82 and I met a competitor there who had some of the same turf disease challenges I faced,” he recalled. “Even though we operated in the same market, it didn’t stop us from sharing ideas. There was also a speaker who predicted the industry would always face an incredible turnover in employees. I disagreed with him at the time, and today we have several long term, even second generation employees.” 

Fast forward thirty-plus years and the conference has changed dramatically.  The joining of PGMC, PLCAA, and ALCA strengthened the trade show and broadened the seminar offerings, Senske noted. Yet some things have remained the same.

“My involvement with PLCAA, GIC, and PLANET over the years has given me the opportunity to build some invaluable relationships with folks around the country.  In fact, 10 of us, who once served on the PLCAA Board, still get together for a weekend during the winter, hopefully someplace where it’s warm. Today, GIC is a magnet that not only attracts old friends and associates but also continues to provide a venue to meet new people. One cannot overestimate how important that is to individual company owners and to the industry as a whole.”

In addition to the seminars and walking the trade show, Senske also enjoys conference innovations such as the CEO Forum that was introduced five years ago. “The information attendees receive there is very high level and we get to meet several key industry executives.  It’s fun, entertaining, and educational.” 

GIC, he emphasized, is part of a valuable legacy that PLANET has given the industry. But there others, he added, not the least of which is its role as industry advocate.  “We depend on PLANET to represent us in front of legislators and regulators, to keep us informed and to help mitigate regulations and restrictions that make it increasingly difficult to do business today.”