SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Rich Sutter played 13 seasons in the NHL, scored 149 goals, and never backed down from a fight.
Still, he felt a few nerves stepping in front of a conference room full of concrete industry professionals this week.
“I’m not always comfortable speaking about myself or my family but I think there were some things that I could share with the group here today,” Sutter told WTBA.
Over the next hour, Sutter certainly did. He told stories about cancer, mental health, raising children as a pro athlete, and growing up poor on a family farm in Canada with six brothers. All but one would play in the NHL.
“Spending time with quite a few of the people here the last two days, just getting comfortable with them and listening to them talk about their stories and where they come from and their families, it makes it a lot easier to get up in front of a group and talk,” Sutter said.
That group was made up of a combination of Wisconsin and Illinois Ready Mixed Concrete Association members who spent three days in Scottsdale, Arizona for their biennial convention.
Programming included general sessions on technology, industry updates, mental health awareness, and teamwork.
“You have competitors and you have customers and vendors all getting together and networking. Members from Illinois and members from Wisconsin chatting. It’s just a great opportunity for them to catch up on what’s going on in the world,” Executive Director Cherish Schwenn said.
Of course, there were plenty of fun off-site activities, too.
“It’s a new venue and area that we’re not used to and I wanted to make sure everyone really enjoyed Arizona,” WRMCA Board President Travis Wise said.
Wise–who is Wingra Stone’s Vice President and GM in Wisconsin–convinced the association to bring this year’s event to his home-away-from-home in Scottsdale after years of Florida conferences.
He lined up his close friend Sutter as a speaker, then also planned unique excursions like a UTV adventure through Tonto National Forest, scenic helicopter rides, golf, and a few stops at his favorite local establishments.
“Just getting to see everyone, see the smiles on everyone’s faces has been awesome,” Wise said.
WRMCA is considering a move to annual conferences depending on feedback from members.
After three days of sharing stories and making new friends, Rich Sutter knows what his vote would be.
“It’s been freaking incredible,” Sutter said of the conference. “I wish it’d last a few more days.”
