August 5, 2024 • 46 mins
In Episode 19 of The GSE Podcast, we bring exclusive coverage from the 8th Americas GHI Conference held in Toronto, Canada. Host Matt Weitzel sits with industry experts to discuss the latest trends, innovations, and challenges in the ground support equipment (GSE) sector.
Guest Discussions:
Scott Bellamy from Menzies Aviation shares his experiences and key takeaways from the conference, highlighting the importance of networking and new industry contacts made during the event. Scott discusses the value of reconnecting with old friends and making new connections, emphasizing the small yet impactful nature of the GSE community.
Max Gosney talks about his participation in the electrification and sustainability panel, where industry leaders discussed the future of GSE, focusing on automation and sustainable power sources. Max also reflects on the growth of the GHI Annual conference, noting a record attendance of 550 delegates this year and outlining ambitious goals for future events.
Raven Honsaker and Morgan Gresens share their perspectives on the importance of firsthand airport experiences. They bring valuable feedback to their engineering teams to improve product design and serviceability. They emphasize the connection between real-world operations and product innovation.
George Lydon gives an overview of the rebooking process for future GHI events and the strong interest from exhibitors and attendees. He mentions the upcoming GHI Africa event and the next GSE Expo Europe in Lisbon, highlighting the conference's growth and increased participation from airlines and ground handlers.
Abbie Hepler and Karla Harrington introduce the Women of GSE initiative, which aims to create networking opportunities and support for women in the GSE industry. They share plans for future events, including a mix-and-mingle at the conference and a showcase at the Lisbon show, emphasizing the importance of uniting women across different industry sectors.
Tune in to this episode for an in-depth look at the significant developments discussed at the conference and hear from the leaders driving change in the GSE industry. Stay ahead with insights on electrification, sustainability, and the growing role of women in GSE.
Listen now and get the latest updates from the ground support equipment industry!
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Matthew Weitzel (00:07):
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(00:27):
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Alice Clarke (00:54):
Good morning from Toronto J. This is Alice Clarke
from GHI and you are listeningto the GSE podcast the day after
the Gala dinner.
Matthew Weitzel (01:05):
All right.
Welcome to the GSE Podcast. I'mhere with Scott Bellamy from
Menzies and we are they 8thAmericas GHI, America's
conference in Toronto, Canada.
And we just kind of finished upthe week we're about to leave
the conference and wanted tocheck in with Scott and see how
his experience was.
Scott Bellamy (01:25):
So far. It's been great, Matt, it's, it's good to
see you here again and make somecontacts again at the GH i for
me this year has beenphenomenal. I think it's the
busiest ghci for our company,we've made a lot of contacts on
the GSE side, it's good to runinto some old friends and meet
some new friends here. Butthanks a lot for having me on
the podcast. And yeah, I lookforward to working with you. And
(01:48):
yeah, we're gonna do Yeah,
Matthew Weitzel (01:50):
we're gonna hopefully do like a full podcast
and talk about Menzies and abouthow you got into the GSE space.
But yeah, I agree. So it's beengreat. Like, as far as I got to
see a bunch of the GSE folkshere, all the major, you know,
OEMs are here. And I got to seea bunch of our vendor partners
as well as a lot of ourcustomers and a lot of the
ground handlers are here andairlines. So yeah, it's been
(02:13):
it's been quite a week. And whatdid we do last night? I were
you. You were you're with uslast night. What do we do?
Scott Bellamy (02:19):
Yes, we had a very interesting dinner last
night. I'm not going to namenames, but some Yeah,
competition. We all went out fordinner together. It was it was
excellent. It's a smallindustry. So bringing
competition together formeetings. It's always fun, exact
little bit of ribbing. But yeah,it was a great, exactly
Matthew Weitzel (02:37):
a lot a lot of ribbing going on. But we had a
great night. GHI always does aat these conferences, they
always do a dinner for thedelegates. So we went to the
delegate dinner, which was in agreat spot with a it's like a
train station that had kind ofconverged in on this restaurant,
right and really neat. Yeah, itwas like a really cool
atmosphere and all that stuff.
Everybody was there. And weended up leaving a little bit
(02:58):
early in the day and then kindof went did our own thing. But
we got to see all those peoplethat we had seen at the at the
conference at that dinner, andwe're able to connect to all
those people. So it's just theydo everything here that you
know, allows for to have thoseconnections. And I think that's
great. And then were you able toand this is going to be your
(03:19):
biggest hard hitting question.
Were you able to see myelectrification panel? Yes,
Scott Bellamy (03:24):
that was that was That was excellent. It was good
to see the industries movingforward with the electrification
and the discussion was wasreally good. Got a lot out of
it. It's good to see we're allaligned. And yeah, and we all
are working towards the samepurpose.
Matthew Weitzel (03:38):
Well, I know that you and I are gonna have a
very lengthy discussion aboutMenzies and their
electrification, and whatthey're doing to make sure that
their fleet is ready. We'll dothat on another podcast. But I
really wish you would have beenup there with us, because I
think you would have had a lotto say, I'm
Scott Bellamy (03:53):
looking forward to maybe the next ahi and we'll
be able to tie them in. We aredoing what we have done. Yeah,
Matthew Weitzel (03:59):
exactly. I'm gonna have to pull some strings
for you, you know, talk to somepeople that I may know, and
we'll get you up there. Youdon't I mean, sounds good. Yeah.
Yeah. This has been great, man.
Well, thank you so much forcoming on. I really appreciate
it.
Scott Bellamy (04:10):
Thank you for having me. And thank you for all
the contacts you made for methis week as well. Oh,
Matthew Weitzel (04:14):
you're welcome.
Anytime, buddy. I appreciate it.
All right. Thanks, Scott. Thankyou. Alright. I'm here with two
special guests from Textron GSE.
Would you like to introduceyourself?
Raven Honsaker (04:27):
Raven, Honsaker director of aftermarket
Morgan Gresens (04:30):
and Morgan Gresens is vice president and
general manager for Textron GSE.
Alright,
Matthew Weitzel (04:35):
well, here we are. And we are at the show.
We're in a conference room. AndMorgan is brand new to GSE not
brand new, right. I guess you'vebeen here for a couple of
months, right?
Morgan Gresens (04:46):
About five months now. But my first
conference in this role, so I'mexcited to be here.
Matthew Weitzel (04:52):
Well, we loved having you and we'd love to get
to know you and meet you. SoTextron is obviously one of our
great OEM partners that we Haveit exceed and it's always lovely
to see you all. And Raven thelast time we spoke with you, we
were in Punta Cana. Yeah.
Raven Honsaker (05:07):
A year ago. A year ago. Yeah. What a
difference a year makes.
Matthew Weitzel (05:11):
We did not have dinner on a beach this time. No,
we didn't. But we did have it ina cool little brewery. Yeah, the
brewery was really it was prettyneat. It
Raven Honsaker (05:19):
was very neat.
View. And yeah, I
Matthew Weitzel (05:23):
liked the train yard. I thought I thought, yeah,
trains, I like trains. You know,
Raven Honsaker (05:27):
that doesn't surprise me.
Matthew Weitzel (05:29):
Who doesn't like a good train? You know, is
Raven Honsaker (05:33):
that, you know, of trains?
Matthew Weitzel (05:35):
I don't know about that. You know, I'm not
sure. I'm not sure thateverybody would agree with that.
But no, it was it was a greatdinner. And we just, I mean, in
my personal experience, I got tohave a lot of great connections
during the show, can you kind oftell me about some of that able
to make,
Raven Honsaker (05:49):
I think, coming into the show, that's one of the
things that, you know, Morganand I talked about What I
appreciate most about the GHIshow, and I think this was last
year was my first experience andjust getting to have that
networking time and buildingrelationships. And now being one
year further into the role,where I've worked more closely
(06:13):
with a lot of the folks that Imay be some of them met for the
first time in person at gha lastyear, you know, just what a
difference that has made. And Ithink being at the show, and and
getting that time, has helped,you know, foster those
relationships and make it easierto work. Yeah, yeah, just on all
(06:34):
the things that we've got to doto get done to keep planes
moving and keep people moving. I
Morgan Gresens (06:40):
would agree, I have to give a little bit of a
shout out to the gha group,because I think this is such a
well run conference. And I mean,the GSE industry is just so
fascinating to me, I've really,really enjoyed getting to spend
more time here. And I thinkwhat's so special is you have
everybody here, kind of sharingthoughts, sharing ideas, and
really just trying to better theground support industry and
(07:02):
operations for aviationpartners. So it's been a really
incredible conference.
Matthew Weitzel (07:08):
Yeah, I agree.
And it's, it's just like, we getto these conferences, and you
realize that it's, it's acommunity, I think, more than
even in industry, I see thesepeople every single year, and
I've been seeing them for, youknow, 10 plus years. And it's
just, it's awesome to be able tolike go, it's like going back to
like a family reunion orsomething. And especially this
conference in particular,because of the fact that we're
all staying at the same hotel,which makes it interesting. You
(07:32):
know, because you come down forbreakfast, right there, you
still have your glasses on, youknow, because you haven't had
time to put your contacts in,and you're like, Oh, I didn't
want to see that person. Now I'mtrying to grab coffee. So
Raven Honsaker (07:48):
I Morgan and I were talking about this as well,
I mean, texture on as a whole isin a lot of different
industries. And you know,between Morgan and I, we've
attended events and shows in thehelicopter space in the golf car
space and the industrial spaceand the power sports space. And
there is not an industry likethe GSE industry, this is not
(08:11):
that kind of we're all in thistogether feel and be able to sit
down at dinner and the personacross from you that you're
hanging out with is the otheryour competitor right there the
other OEM or the other leasing,the other ground handler, the
other airline, that doesn'thappen in a lot of these other
industries and spaces whereTextron participates. And so it
(08:35):
is a really neat kind of thingto be a part of. Yeah, I
Morgan Gresens (08:38):
think communities community is a great
way to say I, I was notexpecting to get to speak to
leaders with you know, of someof our OEM competitors here. And
I've enjoyed just having thoseconnections, having those
conversations, getting to meetpeople from all different ground
handlers and really learn thethings that make each of us
(09:00):
different and unique, but alsothe things that kind of bring us
together. So yeah, it's it'sbeen great, but I echo what
you'd say Matt, it is a littleweird to walk down to the lobby
to get a coffee in the morningand you see your coworkers a lot
of them really and you're notquite ready for that.
Matthew Weitzel (09:16):
I've learned very quickly I've learned to
like not leave the room unlessI'm ready. Right You know,
because before I'd be like goingdown in basketball shorts, if
you see somebody and you're likethat all the time all the time,
right? Yeah, and it's
Morgan Gresens (09:30):
always weird at these two you know if you want
to go to the gym, I'm always Ialways struggle with that right
because you know you want to gowork out but I don't want to
work out next to go work.
Raven Honsaker (09:40):
I went to the gym this morning and yesterday
morning and I did not Yeah. AndI did not run into anybody that
I was felt awkward around. Youknow, I didn't stay up till one.
Two o'clock in the morning likesome people Yeah, no,
Matthew Weitzel (09:57):
I didn't either. I went to bed at 1130
last night. So Oh, did youdidn't see through? Yeah,
exactly right. That was thesmart ones. Yeah, that was the
first time though I think, thisweek. But I knew I had a big day
today. So, I, Morgan, I thinkwe'll ended by I'd like you to
talk a little bit more about howI guess. So you've been in other
(10:18):
industries before? And shementioned it. Yeah. So do you
feel like it's different in theGSE? industry as well? I mean,
is that is that what you notice?
Because like, we all think it,but I've only really been in
GSE. So, you know, everybodywants to believe that you're
unique, right, and the way thatyou operate, but I mean, is that
what you've seen as well?
Definitely.
Morgan Gresens (10:36):
I mean, I've just take, you know, different
trade shows or conferences, forexample. And we were talking
about this yesterday, we had acompetitor come up and introduce
a new member of their team to usand just kind of talked about
our different experiences. And,you know, if you think about
some of our other brands likeEasyGO, golf cars, you would
never be at the PGA Show inOrlando, Florida in January and
(10:58):
have your competitors come upand introduce their new team
member that just doesn't haveclub cards.
Matthew Weitzel (11:04):
And anybody?
Hey, let
Raven Honsaker (11:05):
us introduce you. Yeah,
Morgan Gresens (11:06):
just brought on.
Yeah. And I think that's what isso interesting about it, because
everything is so intertwined inthe GSE space, so you really do
have to be open to working withwith different companies and
different competitors. Because,you know, ultimately, we're all
here to make sure that aviationoperations keep running
smoothly. I mean, that's thegoal. So I think that's what's
so unique about it. And soenjoyable, the similarities are
(11:28):
obviously, you know, we're allhere to make sure we're doing
everything we can to support ourcustomers. I mean, that's the
goal. And so that's what I thinkis enjoyable, though, I feel
like there is a sense ofcommunity here and, and I
appreciate really getting tolearn from everyone and and
learn how, how we're all heretoward the betterment of the
same goal. So Oh, I
Matthew Weitzel (11:47):
love that.
That's really good. That'sgreat. And then I think you
know, Textron is unique in thefact that you have the airport
service centers is that we callthem service centers, or port
shops, airport shops, okay,
Raven Honsaker (11:56):
I probably should rebrand them. That sounds
more professional,
Matthew Weitzel (11:59):
does it? Okay, I just, you're welcome. But, but
you will have the airport shops,and you have to work on all of
your competitors, equipment, andmake sure that it's maintained
and running, you're definitelyin a unique space there. Yeah.
So I mean, a does definitelymake sense for you guys.
Because, you know, you had tobuy parts, sometimes properly
from your competitors, andthings like that. Take care of
their equipment, you know, forthe ground handlers and
(12:20):
airlines. And that's, that's aunique place to be. It
Raven Honsaker (12:23):
absolutely is.
And we got to take Morgan andour CEO. Last week, we went on a
little east coast, airport shoptour, and all right, I think
that was really interesting forthem. And I think it was it was
very eye opening, you know, forour CEO to just see what that
looks like. And what it is thatour technicians and our our
frontline employees, I mean,what they're experiencing every
(12:44):
day, right, and working on theairport and trying to keep
operations running, and justthat very tactical piece of it.
But yes, I think these do, theseare very helpful for that,
because you're right, we'reconstantly working with pick up
your competitor, right, you'vegot our we're working with
Swissport, we're working with,you know, AGI we're working
(13:07):
with, there isn't a company thatwe don't interface with, in some
way, at one of the shops.
Morgan Gresens (13:14):
And I think that's what the airport shop is,
it was so amazing, because youreally get the firsthand look at
what operators are dealing withon the ramp and to be able to
bring that back to our factoryand our engineering team and
have that kind of at the frontof our minds when we're looking
at designing products and makingthem easier to service and
making them easier to maintainthat. That connection directly
(13:38):
to some of these airports is soso valuable for us. Sure.
Matthew Weitzel (13:41):
Yeah. No, that's great feedback. And I'd
love to have in more in depthconversation with you about the
airport service center shouldtotally do that. rebrand, yeah,
there after the rebrand then wecan have we can have that
podcast in
Raven Honsaker (13:54):
time at that professional level. Yeah,
exactly.
Matthew Weitzel (13:57):
Well, thank you all so much for coming on. I
Raven Honsaker (13:59):
really appreciate it. Yeah. Thanks,
Matt.
Morgan Gresens (14:01):
Thanks for having us. I feel so honored to
have you to be part of anepisode. Oh, yeah. No.
Raven Honsaker (14:07):
All I have to say is how long is Brad been in
the industry? Yeah. 29 years. 29years it took for him to be on a
podcast. Five months. And you'realready past you
Matthew Weitzel (14:19):
got it. All right. Well, thank you all so
much. This has been Matt andRaven and Morgan. All right.
We're here live in Toronto atthe eighth America's DHI
conference. We're wrapping it upat the end of the day on
Thursday. And I'm with GeorgeLydon. How's it going?
George Lydon (14:38):
Good, man. Good, man. It's been a busy three days
and yeah, pleasure to have to beon the world famous GSE podcast
with yourself. And yeah, thanksfor your support for a record
breaking ghci America's event.
Was this a record breaking one?
Correct. Yeah. So I mean, we TheRecord prior to this event was
(15:02):
the sick. America's in Miami.
Okay, which was 535 delegates inthat region. Yeah, we've gone to
550. And I'd actually beinterested to see the final
numbers now because it was 550before we left but we've had a
lot of people registering a dayday passes. Everyone's seems
very happy. It's been afantastic event. exhibitors,
ground handlers, airlines,overwhelmingly positive
(15:26):
feedback. So the air we'rereally looking forward to next
year as well in in Orlando.
Matthew Weitzel (15:34):
I know. Yeah.
And you know, honestly, I didn'tthink we could ever top Miami
and then Punta Cana, I gottatell you, this has been my
favorite of all America's Wow,this show has been unbelievable.
Yeah. I mean, it's just theamount of people and I, you
know, it's that doesn't soundlike a lot, right? Does, you
know, going from 535 to 550.
(15:56):
Like, it's unbelievable. Well,
George Lydon (15:58):
funnily enough, so that was the post COVID Bounce.
So that was like, we thoughtthat could have been a bit of an
anomaly almost. Yeah. Becausepre COVID Panama record breaker
at the time was just over 300delegates, which was, which was
fantastic. So that was only2019. Then obviously, we had the
COVID break, come back in 2022.
With over 500 delegates,fantastic. Then Punta Cana last
(16:19):
year, was in the four hundredswas a fantastic fantastically
attended event. But yeah, backin North America this year, and
we've managed to surpass it.
550. And I think it can grow alot further. For next year. We
had what was it 70 grand hardlyorganizations. We had 56
(16:41):
exhibitors that joined us. Andover 50 Airlines. We had a
really strong blend of aviationprofessionals looking to do
business one to one meetings,discuss new solutions. And yeah,
overall, the American summit aswe've all GHL events, it's about
having fun along the way. Ofcourse, yeah. Which I've hope
(17:02):
we've managed to convey in adelegate dinner, a steam whistle
at the brewery tour, we shouldhave a lovely backdrop on to the
CN Tower, with a golftournament, which you need to
play in next year. But goodthings,
Matthew Weitzel (17:16):
you know what those things are wrong. But Asia
George Lydon (17:18):
is your golf as good as your GSE podcast.
Matthew Weitzel (17:22):
It's not as good as a silky voice now. It's
not.
George Lydon (17:25):
This is the rolls worse stuff. But yeah, it'd be
it'd be good. It'd be good toplay with you next year,
actually.
Matthew Weitzel (17:30):
Yeah, yeah. So it's in Orlando this year. And
so I'm calling it right now. Goahead and throw it on the table.
This is gonna be by far and awaythe largest GH I America's ever.
I think there's I think it'sgonna be over 600 Like, maybe
even seven,
George Lydon (17:47):
seven. I mean, that'd be fantastic. But I think
Yeah, six, I
Matthew Weitzel (17:51):
wouldn't. Why wouldn't you want to go? Yeah,
exactly. You get to bring yourfamily with you. Right. And and
the family that's not going tothe conference that day, can go
can go to Disney, they can go toUniversal. SeaWorld Lego Land,
we have it all in CentralFlorida. I'm from Central
Florida. I'm not from there. Butthat's where I live. Let me tell
you that there's everything todo. So you know, bring your
(18:13):
family down, because they gettheir hotel room. Right? You get
to go to the conference duringthe day. You can hang out with
the family at night when you getback. And I mean, I don't I
don't know why you wouldn't wantto come and it's going to be the
most well attended eighth orninth Americans conference. Oh,
yeah. I'm
George Lydon (18:27):
excited. I think you're right. It's a great
location.
Matthew Weitzel (18:30):
It is really Yeah. And that I'm not just
saying that because I'm buyingbias because I live there.
Right. But there's so much todo. Yeah,
George Lydon (18:36):
no, you're right.
You're right. And I think it'dbe great to incorporate some of
those fantastic locations thatyou just mentioned into the
event, whether that be thatdinner or but yeah, I think
there's I've
Matthew Weitzel (18:47):
already been having conversations about this
that I can't I can't tell youabout but I know there's things
in the works right already thatother Pete There people are
thinking about doing hugeevents. Wow. It's because it's
going to be it's gonna be sowell attended. So I'm excited to
hear what ends up happening withthose plans. But yeah, people
are people are already thinkingabout it. Yeah,
George Lydon (19:06):
off the back of it, you know, free really strong
GHI America's events. So we hadobviously, well rounded events
as well like different locationsin Miami, Punta Cana, Dominican
Republic. And in Toronto, backto Florida. Yeah, to you know,
not obviously we were at it inMiami in the past, but Orlando
will be a fantastic location,great connectivity for you know,
(19:28):
the North American market and inSouth America. Yeah.
Matthew Weitzel (19:32):
Nonstop flight into Orlando from from every
country in South America. Imean, it's unbelievable. So
yeah, it's gonna be easy to getthere. People want to go, and
George Lydon (19:41):
it's great to see.
Yeah,
Matthew Weitzel (19:45):
I'm gonna go and throw something out there
though. Go. I don't know ifyou're gonna like it. Go. I'm
going to say we don't needsuits, though. In Orlando. Okay,
so everybody can leave theirsuits at home. We're gonna go a
little bit. We're going to dressit down. Now. Usually it's a
suit show, right? We all knowthat I was in full suit. You
know, you probably saw meTuesday Wednesday. You should
remember my light blue suiteverybody. I got compliments all
(20:06):
over the place but that's besidethe point. Right?
George Lydon (20:08):
It's a great suit.
Matthew Weitzel (20:08):
It was a great suit. However, I It's so hot. I
think we get used like PuntaCana, I remember the first day
in Punta Cana, I showed up in mysuit. And then I went back
immediately to my hotel room andput on put on polo in the slack.
So yeah, I think next year isgonna be a dress down year. I
think everybody's gonna be okaywith that, you know, just
because it's so hot.
George Lydon (20:28):
I know. Yeah, I think Max is going to be
dressing up as a Mickey Mouseone day as well. Oh,
Matthew Weitzel (20:33):
yeah. That we need that with the, you know,
the big white hands. Yes. I'llprovide those. I've got those at
my house. Yeah, he can he canborrow mine. And yeah, I'd
showed everybody would lovethat. Don't you think? That'd be
fantastic. Yeah. So alright, soif I am an airline, I'm a ground
handler or I'm an OEM or let'ssay leasing company. What do I
(20:54):
do if I want to go to this GHAmericas in Orlando. So
George Lydon (20:58):
the exhibition we're doing the rebook on site,
really strong reboot process.
Delegation. Information is nowlive on the website as well. So
you've got you know, a good goodample time to get your early
bird right. And secure that. Andyeah, like Will we send in you
know, information out throughoutthe year marketing information,
follow us on LinkedIn for thechurch, I socials. And we will
(21:20):
be just contact the team. Goonline register at the earlybird
rate. It will be great to seeyou and yeah, we look forward to
as you say another recordbreaking GH riot America show.
Matthew Weitzel (21:34):
I love it, man.
Well, thank you so much forcoming on to talking about
talking about the the GHAmericans next year. So what do
you have upcoming though, justreal quick. Yeah, sure. We've
already signed off. I forgot toask you. So what's next? We
should the annual so
George Lydon (21:47):
No, before the annual we got a free event. So
your belief got GHI Africa,okay, which is October action
health. First and foremost, thebig one GSE. Expo Europe, okay,
in Lisbon, September 3500 to4000 qualified visitors mainly
comprised of GSE buyers will bepresent over 150 exhibitors at
(22:08):
the moment that's going reallywell. So a lot of time and
resources obviously going intothe expo. But in terms of chi
Hai, we've got to try Africa offthe back of a really solid Cape
Town six, African GH five andwe're now in Kenya, Nairobi.
Wow, Safari Park Hotel from theseparate African event. And then
as you say, the big one, the GHfive annual event, 25th year
(22:31):
silver anniversary, which willbe taking place in Barcelona. So
yeah, we're really lookingforward to that. And we do the I
think you've talked with Maxabout it before we've discussed
it the delegate footballtournament as well. So it's a
very special year for actuallytwo milestones, we've got the
silver anniversary, for the GHfive event. So the first one
(22:52):
actually started in 1999. We'vealso got the fifth year of the
GH five delegate footballtournament. Mr. teamtec Short
and Vestergaard will be vyingfor the cup again. So that will
be absolutely fantastic. I andyeah, we good to see you on the
pitch as well, man. I know. Yougo against each other. So yeah,
yeah, looking for some playerson
Matthew Weitzel (23:13):
Team max or teams, George.
George Lydon (23:15):
I mean, let's see you got exactly. But when Max
comes on, you'll say um,
Matthew Weitzel (23:21):
you know where my laces lie they lie with who's
ever in front of me. Exactly.
That's hilarious. Well, yeah. Soand then I'm guessing
availability is still open forall those events. Yeah, moment.
And people can go on Yeah, andJH eyes, yeah, website and get
all
George Lydon (23:37):
the lines in actually. So the earlybird rate
for the GH five annualconference expires in July. So
if you want to secure gettingearly, secure a preferential
rate kind of ban get in touchwith Francesca Sakina, who heads
up hot audience development atghci. She'll walk you through
the process and give youinformation on how you can
(24:00):
connect you with our audience ofaviation professionals and
obviously secure a better rate.
And in terms of the exhibitionwith we've only got 30% left in
terms of space.
Matthew Weitzel (24:11):
And that just means you've been doing your
job.
George Lydon (24:14):
Exactly, yeah.
It's a really strong rebootprocess. And yeah, I think
there's a there's a lot there'sthere's a lot of excitement
around the 25th year we had 950delegates last year. So we're
looking to more maybe over thatover that 1000 mark. That's
definitely the aim. And thenyeah, bringing more airline
professionals bring in moreground handlers, exhibitors, and
most importantly, secure moreone to one meetings for our
(24:35):
audience. net worth was over4001 to one meetings at the
annual 2000 here this week,incred over two files if you end
up with too big of 100. Yeah,
Matthew Weitzel (24:47):
that's really that's a lot. And those meetings
are so valuable. Let me tellyou, it's been amazing. So Well,
thank you so much for coming on,man. I really appreciate it.
George Lydon (24:55):
Thanks a lot, Matt, and thanks for your
support, and I look forward toseeing you and In Orlando next
year, but I'm sure I've seen youbefore them.
Matthew Weitzel (25:02):
Yes, for sure.
All right. Thank you. All right.
Bye. All right. Welcome to aspecial edition of the GSE
podcast where I am live at theeighth America's JGI conference
in Toronto, Canada. And I amlucky enough to be sitting next
(25:22):
to some wonderful women of GSE.
Abbie Hepler (25:26):
Thank you for having us today.
Karla Harrington (25:28):
That's a good one, Matt.
Matthew Weitzel (25:32):
So I'm here with Abby Hepler. And Carla
Harrington.
How are you guys doing today?
Abbie Hepler (25:37):
Feeling good.
Yeah, a
Matthew Weitzel (25:39):
day four on day. I'm ready. I'm ready to
have our little event this week.
Yes. Good. To see everyone who'sjoining,
what event are you having.
Abbie Hepler (25:47):
So are we are launching our first women of GSE
event today, actually, day four.
So we're having a mix and mingleat a local steakhouse here. And
so we launched those here at theevent. And the feedbacks been
really, really positive fromwomen and men and everybody
here. So we're really excited toget this launched and have our
event today. And we're, we'retalking plans for the future.
(26:11):
And and our next event will bethe Lisbon show. So a while more
more information to come onthat. But yeah, we've got some
exciting things planned.
And I think it's a goodopportunity at the Lisbon show
to have our little showcasethere. It's International, more
than just North America. And Ithink there's so many other
(26:31):
women and GSE that aren't awareof our presence. So this will be
a great event for us to justgather a little bit and see
where this goes right just tounite us no matter what part of
the business we're in or whowe're working for. It's just an
event and a group of people tonetwork with and encourage and
help other youthful women growin the industry.
Matthew Weitzel (26:52):
That's a great initiative. I I'm very
supportive of it. And I can'twait to go to the event today
and check it out and see howmany people come it's going to
be I people keep coming by thebooth and like grabbing, they're
so interested. And I thinkyou'll really have something
going here. And I'm very
Karla Harrington (27:07):
excited about it. Yeah. And I do have to give
a shout out to give shout out tosure
Matthew Weitzel (27:11):
we oh gosh, yeah, we were a big fan of the
shout out. Actually episode one.
There's like a million shoutouts. If you wait till the end,
it's actually a little bitoverboard. And we haven't really
done him since. But I'mdefinitely open to a shout out.
Go ahead. Well, I
Karla Harrington (27:24):
do want to shout out the men who are
supporting the women of GSE.
Because if they were not anactive participant in our
evolution, to some extent, wewould not be here. So we're very
grateful for those men who havesupported us and are supporting
us currently. And if you'rewilling to come alongside,
please let us know. We're onLinkedIn.
Abbie Hepler (27:42):
Women of GSE on LinkedIn. Yeah,
Matthew Weitzel (27:45):
yeah, check them out women of GSE. And
there'll be holding events,obviously. Today, we're about we
are actually about 30 minutesaway from this event right now.
So it's hot off the presses. Andthen we're going to have one in
Lisbon as well. So
Karla Harrington (27:59):
I can I just say so. Laura, Laura McGrath
with Mallaghan has been such anintricate part of putting this
event together for us, includingour little koozie. So if you
didn't get one, let us know inLisbon, we might have a few
leftover for you.
Matthew Weitzel (28:13):
Yeah, you got to stop by get a koozie and say
hello to the women of GSE. So isthere like a list of names like
how does this work?
Unknown (28:23):
So the list of names would be Abby, Carla, and anyone
else really who's part of it. Sowe were just we had the
opportunity really to I shouldsay I had the opportunity to
come alongside Abby, after thisentire women have GSE Inception
happened. And I'm very happy tobe part of it. Definitely not a
(28:43):
founder, but I am definitelyhere to support it and help it
grow. And just to reach out towhoever's in the community that
wants to be part of it. So yeah,
Matthew Weitzel (28:50):
so Abby, when did you get your start in GSE?
And how did that even comeabout?
Abbie Hepler (28:55):
So I started working with with a company in
2007 that produces manufacturersground support equipment,
actually, Kyle burners, how Igot my start in the industry. So
I worked for that company for 16years, and they were in other
markets, but obviously theground support side. So I've
(29:15):
been around it for a while, madethat I've been with Malahat now
for a year. And actually at theend of the GFC Expo in Vegas
last year, Joe and I were justlooking around and we're like,
you know, there's so many womenthat are coming into the
industry and and you know what,what, what can we do? So we
talked about developing thewomen of GSE group and Laura and
(29:37):
I and reached out to exceed andthey jumped on board right away.
So it's a journey and we'reexcited to see how it continues
to grow and develop.
Matthew Weitzel (29:47):
That's amazing.
Yeah, I just had Raven andMorgan on on the podcast from
Textron GSE. And I think they'rethere. They love the initiative.
They love the women of GSE idea,and I'm so glad you guys They're
doing it. So anything I can doto support and help, please let
me know. I encourage everybodyto go into LinkedIn, find women
have GSE follow them. And I'msure you all be providing a lot
(30:09):
of updates on there. Absolutely.
Yes. Well,
Karla Harrington (30:13):
thank you so much, Matt, just for having us
on the podcast. Oh, I'mdigitally forever. You're
Matthew Weitzel (30:20):
this has been a long time coming for Karla to be
on the podcast. She's also withExede. And she's been my partner
in crime for seven years. Butshe's been she's been an exceed
far longer than that. So wecelebrated our 10 year
anniversary this year. And she'sbeen with them. 10 out of 10
years,
Karla Harrington (30:37):
10 years. June 2014. I started so I'm very
grateful for that opportunity.
And I hope to be here foranother another 10 years would
be great. Yeah. Number three,employee number three employee.
Matthew Weitzel (30:47):
I got that right. Yeah, yeah, that's
important. Yeah. Lucky numberthree is what they said. Yes.
You
Karla Harrington (30:51):
know, three is a perfect number. Some would say
seven. But you know,
Matthew Weitzel (30:56):
I love it made a tomato. Yeah, exactly. So
Well, this has been a fantasticconference. I hope you all have
enjoyed it as much as I have. Iwish I could have enjoyed Abby
singing as much as other otherpeople have. It was not there. I
hate to say I got invited lastnight finally and had to decline
because I had to be fresh facedfor today. Because I had to do
(31:18):
podcasts. You know, I gotta lookgood for this kind of stuff,
even though we're not recording.
So. Alright. Well, thank you allso much for coming on. And we
will, let's catch up with womenof GSEC. And let's do a full
podcast just just talking aboutwomen of GSE. Wow.
Karla Harrington (31:32):
I don't know if we can sell enough time.
We'll try. Okay, sounds good.
Thank
Matthew Weitzel (31:36):
you all so much.
Abbie Hepler (31:36):
Thank you. All right.
Matthew Weitzel (31:41):
All right.
Well, welcome back to the finalinterview of kind of like,
really closing down the showhere at the eighth America's JGI
conference in Toronto, Canada,and I am with Max gozney. How're
you doing? Man?
Max Gosney (31:56):
Get off today, man.
Fantastic to be with you. Weboth look still immaculate after
three weeks. I've thought thesame my hair our place. Backs
under eyes. My
Matthew Weitzel (32:07):
hair is never out of place. Don't Yeah,
exactly. So. But yeah, we no no,no, there's no bags.
Max Gosney (32:13):
No bags,
Matthew Weitzel (32:13):
no bags. Yeah,
Max Gosney (32:16):
I think the all that we wear with pride. Exactly.
Matthew Weitzel (32:19):
So you've been up on stage this entire this
entire week. How's it been goingup there?
Max Gosney (32:24):
It's been great. I really loved doing the session
yesterday with yourself theelectrification and
sustainability panel,unbelievable lineup of experts
from across the region. We havemanufacturers, battery
specialists, we had airports,airline handlers, very brilliant
discussion about what lies infront. And it's been one of
many, we've had some greatcontent going on just been
(32:44):
talking about PRM services thismorning and the challenges here
in the Americas and other toknow the session on
electrification and had a casestudy from Air Canada. So yeah,
we've had some really gooddiscussions going on. Alongside
a lot, a lot, a lot of meetings,I think 2300 Plus, we're out. So
it's a record, but has beenincredibly busy. You've been
(33:04):
part of them out here on thefloor, in the meeting rooms. And
then in the exhibition hall.
Really, really busy three dayswith a lot of business being
done, we hope. Yeah, I
Matthew Weitzel (33:14):
think and this is what I've been kind of
talking about on this podcast isthat, yeah, there may have been
20 301 to one meetings, butthere was probably 10,000 or
more, because because we're allin the same place. You get to
see these people all the time,you know, you walk down stairs,
or, you know, take the elevatordownstairs to get a coffee in
the morning, and you get to seeyour customer. There's a one on
(33:34):
one meeting, you know, rightthere that has the best.
Unbelievable, it really is. It'scrazy. So you know what other
conferences or other events thatwe go to throughout the years.
They're not just in one hotel,right. And so you get those
contact points and all the time.
It was great.
Max Gosney (33:52):
We had a couple of presentations, where the initial
contact between the businesspartners was made in Punta Cana
last year, and now they'retalking about meeting at ghci.
And then delivering a reallysuccessful partnership to, you
know, a tackle a challenge, likeelectrification, you improve
business process, and themeeting has come about here. So
that's what we're all about.
It's just wonderful when youhear people who've met at the
(34:12):
bar in the meeting room or inthe exhibition hall, talked led
to you know, serious businessrelationship and then an
improvement in in in theindustry. So it's great to hear
Yeah, so
Matthew Weitzel (34:23):
I saw a lot of one on one meetings happening I
was involved in a lot of one onone meetings and then then then
when we all went upstairs, youtake two escalators, up the
stairs, right to the bar, youdon't even get to go up to your
room and change or anythingbefore you go out for the night.
You just because you have towalk right by that bar and
everyone's there and they'rethere screaming at you to come
(34:43):
over and you get to you get tosee I tried to be pulling people
in it really is we're
Max Gosney (34:48):
trying to load the coaches last night to delegate
dinner venue but unfortunatelythe tractor beam or the bar or
pulled a lot of delegates
Matthew Weitzel (34:54):
it was you right you like send people in
there with signs they wereholding up. Nobody was paying
attention. I mean ever Everybodywas just focused on the
conversation that they werehaving. But you know, everybody
ended up showing up to that, tothat event. It was great. Yes.
Great.
Max Gosney (35:07):
We had a brilliant night dance team was so it was a
great evening.
Unknown (35:11):
It was such a cool venue, being so close to the CN
Tower being to look up there,but then also in that kind of
like the train yard. He hadn'tlook it was very, very nice.
Max Gosney (35:20):
Something for everyone trainspotters?
Matthew Weitzel (35:21):
Exactly, yeah.
In beer and beer. Yeah. The beerwas there as well. So yeah, so
we got to see everybody there.
And then I ended up, we leftthere. We went and had another
customer dinner. We had couplecustomers out of dinner and saw
a competitor out to the samerestaurant and just ended up
talking to them. And it
Max Gosney (35:40):
was I mean, and you still look like you've slept 10
hours. And Vince. You
Matthew Weitzel (35:44):
know what, I have not been to the gym. But I
did get eight hours of sleeplast night, which is the first
time I've done that in a reallylong time. I was able to get to
bed, you know, around 1130 Inwoke up at 730. And I feel I
feel fantastic today. So
Max Gosney (35:59):
I need your secret.
Yeah. Waking up early, but thejetlag but nevermind. Yeah,
exactly.
Matthew Weitzel (36:05):
Yeah, this has been a fantastic conference, I
Max Gosney (36:09):
really satisfying to the growth in the event over the
sort of six, seven years thatI've been involved in running it
here in the Americas from thesecond I think second America's
in Miami, a couple 100 peopleand this year is a record 550
delegates attending to see thatgrowth and the expansion in the
audience. Milan's had the youknow, the loyal originals like
(36:29):
yourself, in essence, thisthought is just superb. And
we're off to we're going toOrlando next year. Rosen Shingle
Creek. So the ambition is we'vegot this audience in to spread
the word and to keep developingthe event and expanding it.
Matthew Weitzel (36:44):
And yeah, have heard he got talked to George.
We had George on the podcast,his first time ever on the
podcast, who says, yeah, exactlythis guy that works with you,
apparently. And so George cameup to me and I've already
secured my my stand for nextyear in Orlando, so I'm ready to
go. Exede will be there. I willbe there. IHS
Max Gosney (37:03):
Global exhibition sales manager George Lydon. Yes.
That's good to hear that thesegot you there. And then many
other interested in themspeaking to him and trying to
grow that exhibition area. Ithink we did a brilliant job
this year. And, George, I thinkwe're up to about just shy of 60
exhibitors. So again, that'samazing, because that's where
where we have the annualpossibly 2022. So a couple years
(37:24):
ago, we're almost at the samescale. This, this event might
have 60 plus next year. Sobrilliant to see that.
Matthew Weitzel (37:29):
Yeah, I was thinking 700 That's what I've
been thrown out there, Max. Sojust make sure you get there.
Okay, we'll just
Max Gosney (37:35):
write this for George's target.
Matthew Weitzel (37:36):
Yeah, it's more of a jour exactly. I
Max Gosney (37:40):
don't know. Do we service the demand much like the
industry that we're in but we'rewe're all catering to and the
demand is there for ourtransport for passengers demand
is therefore there for forattendant ghci we can make the
business connections and expandyour supply network and service
that demand by speaking to theright suppliers.
Matthew Weitzel (37:59):
Yeah. And so everybody's gonna be coming into
Orlando next year. Yeah, there'snonstop flights from from almost
everywhere to into Orlando, fromall the South American countries
we're gonna have a large trendis North America, it's really
easy to get there. And then wehave a brand new terminal in
Orlando that is absolutelybeautiful. And there's plenty of
great options there to eat andshop and all that kind of stuff.
(38:20):
And then new terminal sauerberggets to see that when they come
in, and then we have all thetourist attractions in Orlando
as well.
Max Gosney (38:25):
And I hear you by also rumor has it you're a big
Disney fan as well. Yeah, yeah.
Matthew Weitzel (38:29):
So I can be taking people on private tours.
Just reach out to me directly.
You can book those, you know,with Matt, you know what I mean?
And I'll take you out for a dayfor a small commission fee of
Oh, yeah, well, large commissionfee, and I can kind of show it
show you the landscape, youknow, and we can go see Becky
and whoever it might be there.
Max Gosney (38:47):
Yeah, well, ya know, my kids will definitely be
interested in coming. So we needto, you can discount me a little
bit. Maybe we can,
Matthew Weitzel (38:53):
we can see what we can do. I know some people,
you know, and then George haspromised that you will have
Mickey hands. Yeah. And that'sListen, that's just what George
said. I don't know. I can'tspeak for you, but and I told
him that you can borrow mine.
Right? Because obviously I havethose habits.
Max Gosney (39:09):
I'll be delighted to sport some Mickey hands. Yeah,
so if George wears his PrincessElsa, we have a deal. We have a
deal.
Matthew Weitzel (39:18):
Oh, yeah. So this is the American way. George
listens to this podcast. So nowwe are gonna have the best time
in Orlando. It's gonna be it'sgonna be a huge event but it'd
Max Gosney (39:30):
be great. You have the hinge point around the Miami
Florida area for the LatinAmerican delegates to to attend
and be there in force. And thenwe've gotten a really
interesting one the followingyear because we got the FIFA
Football World Cup. Yeah. Aroundthe time of the conference date.
So we'll be looking at where wewhere we moved to and where we
go. Because it's held in USA,Canada and Mexico. So taking the
(39:51):
show somewhat different in 2026.
Matthew Weitzel (39:54):
And then also just thought of this, but if
there's delegates that are inMiami, they can take bright
lines, we have a new train inFlorida. It's called the bright
line and you can take it it's anonstop Well, it's not nonstop,
necessarily, but to one way moreor less, from Miami to Orlando,
goes right into the airport. Andit's like a two and a half hour
(40:15):
journey. And it's really nice,beautiful, they have Wi Fi
onboard and all that stuff. Sothey don't really have to fly up
because they don't want to theycan take the train up and take
the train back. So you mightwant to do that yourself. Yeah.
Yeah, exactly. So yeah. And thenyou also have some other events
coming up before before Orlando.
So why don't you talk aboutthose. So
Max Gosney (40:34):
no rest for the wicked, of course. So we'll
straight on from this event tolook up GC Expo Europe, which is
coming up in September 17, tothe 19th. And Lisbon, very busy.
last remaining floor planpositions still available. And
booking in attendees registeringdelegates up on our numbers
where we're at for the launchshow in 2022. Lots of exciting
(40:54):
stuff going on, you know,equipment, demos, innovations.
Yeah, so we're really excitedabout that one, be very busy
with that over the next fewmonths and working with the team
Jen and the team IEMA, todeliver a growth event on the
launch in 2022. And help theindustry get to grips as we
discussed on the panel with someof these big topics like
sustainability, and you know,safety equipment, sensors,
(41:15):
innovation and automation,autonomous vehicles that will be
under discussion and be lookingat the latest equipment in those
fields. They're in Lisbon, thenwe have our African conference
after that one, which is beingheld in October, and we're there
in Nairobi, having that one sortof middle of October time,
looking to grow it last year, wehad around about 150 in Cape
(41:36):
Town want to grow that one,expand it out. It's the first
time we've held it since COVID.
Last year. And then it's the bigone, the annual the 25th
anniversary annual. So it's amassive occasion for us in the
industry. And we want to inviteeveryone who supported us over
that quarter of a century tokind of join together and look
back on not just the growth inthe achievements in the scale of
the annual but what the industryhas achieved in 25 years. What
(41:57):
are some of the innovationswe're most proud of the
development of the market? Imean, it's some names that have
fallen by the wayside of thegood airlines that were there in
1999. No longer with us. Butyeah, so we just want to make
that celebration really of 25years of industry collaboration
and inventiveness, new equipmentand making it better sector and
then look ahead to the next 25years and how we think the
(42:20):
challenge is going to change andwhat the ramp might look like by
2050. How different could it beautonomous vehicles robots,
maybe. So yeah, we inviteeverybody to come along and we
really extra special that one inBarcelona, on the third to the
fifth of December. That's
Matthew Weitzel (42:36):
gonna be a fantastic event. And I hope I
hope I can make it there.
Because I'd love to celebrate 25years and there's gonna be a
cake. I'm sure there's gonna bea cake right there. We're gonna
get a cake. Okay, we gotta get acake. Okay, you know what I
mean? Yeah, yeah, exactly. Then,you know, a cake to the silvers,
you know, over 1000 people, youknow, whatever. Yeah, yeah,
we'll figure it out.
Max Gosney (42:55):
We'll figure out how to have a big cake. Hopefully
1000 people plus. So yeah, we'lldo a
Matthew Weitzel (43:00):
cake both awesome. So Well,
congratulations on that. That'sgoing to be a fantastic event.
You'll have tons of eventscoming up. Obviously GSE Expo
Europe is going to be huge. Andwhen will you be starting your
podcast? To kind of discuss theGSE Expo year
Max Gosney (43:13):
we will follow in the footsteps of giants with
with what you've done here, man.
Thanks for your help with it.
But we are out subsidy, right.
We're planning to start apreview show with key supporters
of GTA Expo Europe, look at someof the things I mentioned
earlier around sustainableequipment electrification, and
invite people to preview whatthey're going to be doing at the
show. We're actually recordingthe first episode next week. So
hoping to release in the nextfew weeks are not quite as
(43:35):
lightning fast at the editing.
So it's our first time as Yeah,yeah, we would hope to certainly
get the first episode outimminently in next few weeks,
first few weeks of July. Andthen we plan a series of sort of
five, six previous showsdifferent guests, every time
some of the big supporters, someof the big manufacturers, TLDs,
Oshkosh Vestergaard those guystalking about what they're
(43:59):
doing, what they think about keyindustry trends, and a chance to
get some of the rest of my teamon the on the pod of the real
stars and then talk about theirrole in delivering the show in
the events and a little bit offun and hopefully give people a
bit of a taste and whet theirappetite for Lisbon. Okay, yeah,
that was important to have a newone in return and I'll set the
table for change.
Matthew Weitzel (44:18):
Oh, yeah, no, I don't know if I could be
interviewed. I like to interviewpeople so but yeah, I'd love I'd
love to come on. So what is thename of the podcast?
Max Gosney (44:25):
So with the GSE podcast is this one so what was
that Well, that's about it now.
Name of the show is going to bethe GSE Expo Europe podcast. So
very very imaginative but wewanted to keep it straight down
the line. Gaucho people knowwhat they're gonna get. So GST
Expo Europe podcast. Look outfor it. We're distributed by DHI
and you have a listen.
Matthew Weitzel (44:45):
Yeah, I'll repost it on my LinkedIn and
make sure they're made aware ofit. And hopefully they can. They
can take a listen and figure outwhat's going to happen. Yeah.
Yeah, that'd be great. Soanything else do we miss
anything else?
Max Gosney (44:58):
No, I think that's everything. Just just a big
thank you to do yourself and allof the members of the Nether
Jesse community have got behindthe show. And it wouldn't be as
big and successful as it istoday here in here in Toronto
without you guys backing it fromthe start. So Well, thank you.
We really appreciate it.
Matthew Weitzel (45:13):
Oh, yeah, not a problem in there. That was
another key theme, as I've beentalking to everybody. Throughout
the end of the day today was thefact that this is a community.
Max Gosney (45:23):
Definitely a community because that's been
that's what made it certainlyalways be that way. Yes.
Matthew Weitzel (45:27):
And it's just a fantastic community. And I'm
just so glad to be a part of it.
So and, and thank you so muchfor everything that you've done
and coming on our podcasts allthe time and helping me out. So
thank you so much, Max, andthanks so much. AhI. Yeah, so we
will. We'll catch up soon, I
Max Gosney (45:44):
guess. Yeah, look forward to speaking again soon.
Thank you very much for theopportunity once again. All
right. Thank you, Max. Thankyou, Matt.
Matthew Weitzel (45:54):
Thank you for tuning in to this episode of the
GSE podcast. We hope you foundit informative and engaging. If
this episode resonated with you,please share it with your
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(46:15):
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(00:27):
equipment to keep youroperations running smoothly.
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Alice Clarke (00:54):
Good morning from Toronto J. This is Alice Clarke
from GHI and you are listeningto the GSE podcast the day after
the Gala dinner.
Matthew Weitzel (01:05):
All right.
Welcome to the GSE Podcast. I'mhere with Scott Bellamy from
Menzies and we are they 8thAmericas GHI, America's
conference in Toronto, Canada.
And we just kind of finished upthe week we're about to leave
the conference and wanted tocheck in with Scott and see how
his experience was.
Scott Bellamy (01:25):
So far. It's been great, Matt, it's, it's good to
see you here again and make somecontacts again at the GH i for
me this year has beenphenomenal. I think it's the
busiest ghci for our company,we've made a lot of contacts on
the GSE side, it's good to runinto some old friends and meet
some new friends here. Butthanks a lot for having me on
the podcast. And yeah, I lookforward to working with you. And
(01:48):
yeah, we're gonna do Yeah,
Matthew Weitzel (01:50):
we're gonna hopefully do like a full podcast
and talk about Menzies and abouthow you got into the GSE space.
But yeah, I agree. So it's beengreat. Like, as far as I got to
see a bunch of the GSE folkshere, all the major, you know,
OEMs are here. And I got to seea bunch of our vendor partners
as well as a lot of ourcustomers and a lot of the
ground handlers are here andairlines. So yeah, it's been
(02:13):
it's been quite a week. And whatdid we do last night? I were
you. You were you're with uslast night. What do we do?
Scott Bellamy (02:19):
Yes, we had a very interesting dinner last
night. I'm not going to namenames, but some Yeah,
competition. We all went out fordinner together. It was it was
excellent. It's a smallindustry. So bringing
competition together formeetings. It's always fun, exact
little bit of ribbing. But yeah,it was a great, exactly
Matthew Weitzel (02:37):
a lot a lot of ribbing going on. But we had a
great night. GHI always does aat these conferences, they
always do a dinner for thedelegates. So we went to the
delegate dinner, which was in agreat spot with a it's like a
train station that had kind ofconverged in on this restaurant,
right and really neat. Yeah, itwas like a really cool
atmosphere and all that stuff.
Everybody was there. And weended up leaving a little bit
(02:58):
early in the day and then kindof went did our own thing. But
we got to see all those peoplethat we had seen at the at the
conference at that dinner, andwe're able to connect to all
those people. So it's just theydo everything here that you
know, allows for to have thoseconnections. And I think that's
great. And then were you able toand this is going to be your
(03:19):
biggest hard hitting question.
Were you able to see myelectrification panel? Yes,
Scott Bellamy (03:24):
that was that was That was excellent. It was good
to see the industries movingforward with the electrification
and the discussion was wasreally good. Got a lot out of
it. It's good to see we're allaligned. And yeah, and we all
are working towards the samepurpose.
Matthew Weitzel (03:38):
Well, I know that you and I are gonna have a
very lengthy discussion aboutMenzies and their
electrification, and whatthey're doing to make sure that
their fleet is ready. We'll dothat on another podcast. But I
really wish you would have beenup there with us, because I
think you would have had a lotto say, I'm
Scott Bellamy (03:53):
looking forward to maybe the next ahi and we'll
be able to tie them in. We aredoing what we have done. Yeah,
Matthew Weitzel (03:59):
exactly. I'm gonna have to pull some strings
for you, you know, talk to somepeople that I may know, and
we'll get you up there. Youdon't I mean, sounds good. Yeah.
Yeah. This has been great, man.
Well, thank you so much forcoming on. I really appreciate
it.
Scott Bellamy (04:10):
Thank you for having me. And thank you for all
the contacts you made for methis week as well. Oh,
Matthew Weitzel (04:14):
you're welcome.
Anytime, buddy. I appreciate it.
All right. Thanks, Scott. Thankyou. Alright. I'm here with two
special guests from Textron GSE.
Would you like to introduceyourself?
Raven Honsaker (04:27):
Raven, Honsaker director of aftermarket
Morgan Gresens (04:30):
and Morgan Gresens is vice president and
general manager for Textron GSE.
Alright,
Matthew Weitzel (04:35):
well, here we are. And we are at the show.
We're in a conference room. AndMorgan is brand new to GSE not
brand new, right. I guess you'vebeen here for a couple of
months, right?
Morgan Gresens (04:46):
About five months now. But my first
conference in this role, so I'mexcited to be here.
Matthew Weitzel (04:52):
Well, we loved having you and we'd love to get
to know you and meet you. SoTextron is obviously one of our
great OEM partners that we Haveit exceed and it's always lovely
to see you all. And Raven thelast time we spoke with you, we
were in Punta Cana. Yeah.
Raven Honsaker (05:07):
A year ago. A year ago. Yeah. What a
difference a year makes.
Matthew Weitzel (05:11):
We did not have dinner on a beach this time. No,
we didn't. But we did have it ina cool little brewery. Yeah, the
brewery was really it was prettyneat. It
Raven Honsaker (05:19):
was very neat.
View. And yeah, I
Matthew Weitzel (05:23):
liked the train yard. I thought I thought, yeah,
trains, I like trains. You know,
Raven Honsaker (05:27):
that doesn't surprise me.
Matthew Weitzel (05:29):
Who doesn't like a good train? You know, is
Raven Honsaker (05:33):
that, you know, of trains?
Matthew Weitzel (05:35):
I don't know about that. You know, I'm not
sure. I'm not sure thateverybody would agree with that.
But no, it was it was a greatdinner. And we just, I mean, in
my personal experience, I got tohave a lot of great connections
during the show, can you kind oftell me about some of that able
to make,
Raven Honsaker (05:49):
I think, coming into the show, that's one of the
things that, you know, Morganand I talked about What I
appreciate most about the GHIshow, and I think this was last
year was my first experience andjust getting to have that
networking time and buildingrelationships. And now being one
year further into the role,where I've worked more closely
(06:13):
with a lot of the folks that Imay be some of them met for the
first time in person at gha lastyear, you know, just what a
difference that has made. And Ithink being at the show, and and
getting that time, has helped,you know, foster those
relationships and make it easierto work. Yeah, yeah, just on all
(06:34):
the things that we've got to doto get done to keep planes
moving and keep people moving. I
Morgan Gresens (06:40):
would agree, I have to give a little bit of a
shout out to the gha group,because I think this is such a
well run conference. And I mean,the GSE industry is just so
fascinating to me, I've really,really enjoyed getting to spend
more time here. And I thinkwhat's so special is you have
everybody here, kind of sharingthoughts, sharing ideas, and
really just trying to better theground support industry and
(07:02):
operations for aviationpartners. So it's been a really
incredible conference.
Matthew Weitzel (07:08):
Yeah, I agree.
And it's, it's just like, we getto these conferences, and you
realize that it's, it's acommunity, I think, more than
even in industry, I see thesepeople every single year, and
I've been seeing them for, youknow, 10 plus years. And it's
just, it's awesome to be able tolike go, it's like going back to
like a family reunion orsomething. And especially this
conference in particular,because of the fact that we're
all staying at the same hotel,which makes it interesting. You
(07:32):
know, because you come down forbreakfast, right there, you
still have your glasses on, youknow, because you haven't had
time to put your contacts in,and you're like, Oh, I didn't
want to see that person. Now I'mtrying to grab coffee. So
Raven Honsaker (07:48):
I Morgan and I were talking about this as well,
I mean, texture on as a whole isin a lot of different
industries. And you know,between Morgan and I, we've
attended events and shows in thehelicopter space in the golf car
space and the industrial spaceand the power sports space. And
there is not an industry likethe GSE industry, this is not
(08:11):
that kind of we're all in thistogether feel and be able to sit
down at dinner and the personacross from you that you're
hanging out with is the otheryour competitor right there the
other OEM or the other leasing,the other ground handler, the
other airline, that doesn'thappen in a lot of these other
industries and spaces whereTextron participates. And so it
(08:35):
is a really neat kind of thingto be a part of. Yeah, I
Morgan Gresens (08:38):
think communities community is a great
way to say I, I was notexpecting to get to speak to
leaders with you know, of someof our OEM competitors here. And
I've enjoyed just having thoseconnections, having those
conversations, getting to meetpeople from all different ground
handlers and really learn thethings that make each of us
(09:00):
different and unique, but alsothe things that kind of bring us
together. So yeah, it's it'sbeen great, but I echo what
you'd say Matt, it is a littleweird to walk down to the lobby
to get a coffee in the morningand you see your coworkers a lot
of them really and you're notquite ready for that.
Matthew Weitzel (09:16):
I've learned very quickly I've learned to
like not leave the room unlessI'm ready. Right You know,
because before I'd be like goingdown in basketball shorts, if
you see somebody and you're likethat all the time all the time,
right? Yeah, and it's
Morgan Gresens (09:30):
always weird at these two you know if you want
to go to the gym, I'm always Ialways struggle with that right
because you know you want to gowork out but I don't want to
work out next to go work.
Raven Honsaker (09:40):
I went to the gym this morning and yesterday
morning and I did not Yeah. AndI did not run into anybody that
I was felt awkward around. Youknow, I didn't stay up till one.
Two o'clock in the morning likesome people Yeah, no,
Matthew Weitzel (09:57):
I didn't either. I went to bed at 1130
last night. So Oh, did youdidn't see through? Yeah,
exactly right. That was thesmart ones. Yeah, that was the
first time though I think, thisweek. But I knew I had a big day
today. So, I, Morgan, I thinkwe'll ended by I'd like you to
talk a little bit more about howI guess. So you've been in other
(10:18):
industries before? And shementioned it. Yeah. So do you
feel like it's different in theGSE? industry as well? I mean,
is that is that what you notice?
Because like, we all think it,but I've only really been in
GSE. So, you know, everybodywants to believe that you're
unique, right, and the way thatyou operate, but I mean, is that
what you've seen as well?
Definitely.
Morgan Gresens (10:36):
I mean, I've just take, you know, different
trade shows or conferences, forexample. And we were talking
about this yesterday, we had acompetitor come up and introduce
a new member of their team to usand just kind of talked about
our different experiences. And,you know, if you think about
some of our other brands likeEasyGO, golf cars, you would
never be at the PGA Show inOrlando, Florida in January and
(10:58):
have your competitors come upand introduce their new team
member that just doesn't haveclub cards.
Matthew Weitzel (11:04):
And anybody?
Hey, let
Raven Honsaker (11:05):
us introduce you. Yeah,
Morgan Gresens (11:06):
just brought on.
Yeah. And I think that's what isso interesting about it, because
everything is so intertwined inthe GSE space, so you really do
have to be open to working withwith different companies and
different competitors. Because,you know, ultimately, we're all
here to make sure that aviationoperations keep running
smoothly. I mean, that's thegoal. So I think that's what's
so unique about it. And soenjoyable, the similarities are
(11:28):
obviously, you know, we're allhere to make sure we're doing
everything we can to support ourcustomers. I mean, that's the
goal. And so that's what I thinkis enjoyable, though, I feel
like there is a sense ofcommunity here and, and I
appreciate really getting tolearn from everyone and and
learn how, how we're all heretoward the betterment of the
same goal. So Oh, I
Matthew Weitzel (11:47):
love that.
That's really good. That'sgreat. And then I think you
know, Textron is unique in thefact that you have the airport
service centers is that we callthem service centers, or port
shops, airport shops, okay,
Raven Honsaker (11:56):
I probably should rebrand them. That sounds
more professional,
Matthew Weitzel (11:59):
does it? Okay, I just, you're welcome. But, but
you will have the airport shops,and you have to work on all of
your competitors, equipment, andmake sure that it's maintained
and running, you're definitelyin a unique space there. Yeah.
So I mean, a does definitelymake sense for you guys.
Because, you know, you had tobuy parts, sometimes properly
from your competitors, andthings like that. Take care of
their equipment, you know, forthe ground handlers and
(12:20):
airlines. And that's, that's aunique place to be. It
Raven Honsaker (12:23):
absolutely is.
And we got to take Morgan andour CEO. Last week, we went on a
little east coast, airport shoptour, and all right, I think
that was really interesting forthem. And I think it was it was
very eye opening, you know, forour CEO to just see what that
looks like. And what it is thatour technicians and our our
frontline employees, I mean,what they're experiencing every
(12:44):
day, right, and working on theairport and trying to keep
operations running, and justthat very tactical piece of it.
But yes, I think these do, theseare very helpful for that,
because you're right, we'reconstantly working with pick up
your competitor, right, you'vegot our we're working with
Swissport, we're working with,you know, AGI we're working
(13:07):
with, there isn't a company thatwe don't interface with, in some
way, at one of the shops.
Morgan Gresens (13:14):
And I think that's what the airport shop is,
it was so amazing, because youreally get the firsthand look at
what operators are dealing withon the ramp and to be able to
bring that back to our factoryand our engineering team and
have that kind of at the frontof our minds when we're looking
at designing products and makingthem easier to service and
making them easier to maintainthat. That connection directly
(13:38):
to some of these airports is soso valuable for us. Sure.
Matthew Weitzel (13:41):
Yeah. No, that's great feedback. And I'd
love to have in more in depthconversation with you about the
airport service center shouldtotally do that. rebrand, yeah,
there after the rebrand then wecan have we can have that
podcast in
Raven Honsaker (13:54):
time at that professional level. Yeah,
exactly.
Matthew Weitzel (13:57):
Well, thank you all so much for coming on. I
Raven Honsaker (13:59):
really appreciate it. Yeah. Thanks,
Matt.
Morgan Gresens (14:01):
Thanks for having us. I feel so honored to
have you to be part of anepisode. Oh, yeah. No.
Raven Honsaker (14:07):
All I have to say is how long is Brad been in
the industry? Yeah. 29 years. 29years it took for him to be on a
podcast. Five months. And you'realready past you
Matthew Weitzel (14:19):
got it. All right. Well, thank you all so
much. This has been Matt andRaven and Morgan. All right.
We're here live in Toronto atthe eighth America's DHI
conference. We're wrapping it upat the end of the day on
Thursday. And I'm with GeorgeLydon. How's it going?
George Lydon (14:38):
Good, man. Good, man. It's been a busy three days
and yeah, pleasure to have to beon the world famous GSE podcast
with yourself. And yeah, thanksfor your support for a record
breaking ghci America's event.
Was this a record breaking one?
Correct. Yeah. So I mean, we TheRecord prior to this event was
(15:02):
the sick. America's in Miami.
Okay, which was 535 delegates inthat region. Yeah, we've gone to
550. And I'd actually beinterested to see the final
numbers now because it was 550before we left but we've had a
lot of people registering a dayday passes. Everyone's seems
very happy. It's been afantastic event. exhibitors,
ground handlers, airlines,overwhelmingly positive
(15:26):
feedback. So the air we'rereally looking forward to next
year as well in in Orlando.
Matthew Weitzel (15:34):
I know. Yeah.
And you know, honestly, I didn'tthink we could ever top Miami
and then Punta Cana, I gottatell you, this has been my
favorite of all America's Wow,this show has been unbelievable.
Yeah. I mean, it's just theamount of people and I, you
know, it's that doesn't soundlike a lot, right? Does, you
know, going from 535 to 550.
(15:56):
Like, it's unbelievable. Well,
George Lydon (15:58):
funnily enough, so that was the post COVID Bounce.
So that was like, we thoughtthat could have been a bit of an
anomaly almost. Yeah. Becausepre COVID Panama record breaker
at the time was just over 300delegates, which was, which was
fantastic. So that was only2019. Then obviously, we had the
COVID break, come back in 2022.
With over 500 delegates,fantastic. Then Punta Cana last
(16:19):
year, was in the four hundredswas a fantastic fantastically
attended event. But yeah, backin North America this year, and
we've managed to surpass it.
550. And I think it can grow alot further. For next year. We
had what was it 70 grand hardlyorganizations. We had 56
(16:41):
exhibitors that joined us. Andover 50 Airlines. We had a
really strong blend of aviationprofessionals looking to do
business one to one meetings,discuss new solutions. And yeah,
overall, the American summit aswe've all GHL events, it's about
having fun along the way. Ofcourse, yeah. Which I've hope
(17:02):
we've managed to convey in adelegate dinner, a steam whistle
at the brewery tour, we shouldhave a lovely backdrop on to the
CN Tower, with a golftournament, which you need to
play in next year. But goodthings,
Matthew Weitzel (17:16):
you know what those things are wrong. But Asia
George Lydon (17:18):
is your golf as good as your GSE podcast.
Matthew Weitzel (17:22):
It's not as good as a silky voice now. It's
not.
George Lydon (17:25):
This is the rolls worse stuff. But yeah, it'd be
it'd be good. It'd be good toplay with you next year,
actually.
Matthew Weitzel (17:30):
Yeah, yeah. So it's in Orlando this year. And
so I'm calling it right now. Goahead and throw it on the table.
This is gonna be by far and awaythe largest GH I America's ever.
I think there's I think it'sgonna be over 600 Like, maybe
even seven,
George Lydon (17:47):
seven. I mean, that'd be fantastic. But I think
Yeah, six, I
Matthew Weitzel (17:51):
wouldn't. Why wouldn't you want to go? Yeah,
exactly. You get to bring yourfamily with you. Right. And and
the family that's not going tothe conference that day, can go
can go to Disney, they can go toUniversal. SeaWorld Lego Land,
we have it all in CentralFlorida. I'm from Central
Florida. I'm not from there. Butthat's where I live. Let me tell
you that there's everything todo. So you know, bring your
(18:13):
family down, because they gettheir hotel room. Right? You get
to go to the conference duringthe day. You can hang out with
the family at night when you getback. And I mean, I don't I
don't know why you wouldn't wantto come and it's going to be the
most well attended eighth orninth Americans conference. Oh,
yeah. I'm
George Lydon (18:27):
excited. I think you're right. It's a great
location.
Matthew Weitzel (18:30):
It is really Yeah. And that I'm not just
saying that because I'm buyingbias because I live there.
Right. But there's so much todo. Yeah,
George Lydon (18:36):
no, you're right.
You're right. And I think it'dbe great to incorporate some of
those fantastic locations thatyou just mentioned into the
event, whether that be thatdinner or but yeah, I think
there's I've
Matthew Weitzel (18:47):
already been having conversations about this
that I can't I can't tell youabout but I know there's things
in the works right already thatother Pete There people are
thinking about doing hugeevents. Wow. It's because it's
going to be it's gonna be sowell attended. So I'm excited to
hear what ends up happening withthose plans. But yeah, people
are people are already thinkingabout it. Yeah,
George Lydon (19:06):
off the back of it, you know, free really strong
GHI America's events. So we hadobviously, well rounded events
as well like different locationsin Miami, Punta Cana, Dominican
Republic. And in Toronto, backto Florida. Yeah, to you know,
not obviously we were at it inMiami in the past, but Orlando
will be a fantastic location,great connectivity for you know,
(19:28):
the North American market and inSouth America. Yeah.
Matthew Weitzel (19:32):
Nonstop flight into Orlando from from every
country in South America. Imean, it's unbelievable. So
yeah, it's gonna be easy to getthere. People want to go, and
George Lydon (19:41):
it's great to see.
Yeah,
Matthew Weitzel (19:45):
I'm gonna go and throw something out there
though. Go. I don't know ifyou're gonna like it. Go. I'm
going to say we don't needsuits, though. In Orlando. Okay,
so everybody can leave theirsuits at home. We're gonna go a
little bit. We're going to dressit down. Now. Usually it's a
suit show, right? We all knowthat I was in full suit. You
know, you probably saw meTuesday Wednesday. You should
remember my light blue suiteverybody. I got compliments all
(20:06):
over the place but that's besidethe point. Right?
George Lydon (20:08):
It's a great suit.
Matthew Weitzel (20:08):
It was a great suit. However, I It's so hot. I
think we get used like PuntaCana, I remember the first day
in Punta Cana, I showed up in mysuit. And then I went back
immediately to my hotel room andput on put on polo in the slack.
So yeah, I think next year isgonna be a dress down year. I
think everybody's gonna be okaywith that, you know, just
because it's so hot.
George Lydon (20:28):
I know. Yeah, I think Max is going to be
dressing up as a Mickey Mouseone day as well. Oh,
Matthew Weitzel (20:33):
yeah. That we need that with the, you know,
the big white hands. Yes. I'llprovide those. I've got those at
my house. Yeah, he can he canborrow mine. And yeah, I'd
showed everybody would lovethat. Don't you think? That'd be
fantastic. Yeah. So alright, soif I am an airline, I'm a ground
handler or I'm an OEM or let'ssay leasing company. What do I
(20:54):
do if I want to go to this GHAmericas in Orlando. So
George Lydon (20:58):
the exhibition we're doing the rebook on site,
really strong reboot process.
Delegation. Information is nowlive on the website as well. So
you've got you know, a good goodample time to get your early
bird right. And secure that. Andyeah, like Will we send in you
know, information out throughoutthe year marketing information,
follow us on LinkedIn for thechurch, I socials. And we will
(21:20):
be just contact the team. Goonline register at the earlybird
rate. It will be great to seeyou and yeah, we look forward to
as you say another recordbreaking GH riot America show.
Matthew Weitzel (21:34):
I love it, man.
Well, thank you so much forcoming on to talking about
talking about the the GHAmericans next year. So what do
you have upcoming though, justreal quick. Yeah, sure. We've
already signed off. I forgot toask you. So what's next? We
should the annual so
George Lydon (21:47):
No, before the annual we got a free event. So
your belief got GHI Africa,okay, which is October action
health. First and foremost, thebig one GSE. Expo Europe, okay,
in Lisbon, September 3500 to4000 qualified visitors mainly
comprised of GSE buyers will bepresent over 150 exhibitors at
(22:08):
the moment that's going reallywell. So a lot of time and
resources obviously going intothe expo. But in terms of chi
Hai, we've got to try Africa offthe back of a really solid Cape
Town six, African GH five andwe're now in Kenya, Nairobi.
Wow, Safari Park Hotel from theseparate African event. And then
as you say, the big one, the GHfive annual event, 25th year
(22:31):
silver anniversary, which willbe taking place in Barcelona. So
yeah, we're really lookingforward to that. And we do the I
think you've talked with Maxabout it before we've discussed
it the delegate footballtournament as well. So it's a
very special year for actuallytwo milestones, we've got the
silver anniversary, for the GHfive event. So the first one
(22:52):
actually started in 1999. We'vealso got the fifth year of the
GH five delegate footballtournament. Mr. teamtec Short
and Vestergaard will be vyingfor the cup again. So that will
be absolutely fantastic. I andyeah, we good to see you on the
pitch as well, man. I know. Yougo against each other. So yeah,
yeah, looking for some playerson
Matthew Weitzel (23:13):
Team max or teams, George.
George Lydon (23:15):
I mean, let's see you got exactly. But when Max
comes on, you'll say um,
Matthew Weitzel (23:21):
you know where my laces lie they lie with who's
ever in front of me. Exactly.
That's hilarious. Well, yeah. Soand then I'm guessing
availability is still open forall those events. Yeah, moment.
And people can go on Yeah, andJH eyes, yeah, website and get
all
George Lydon (23:37):
the lines in actually. So the earlybird rate
for the GH five annualconference expires in July. So
if you want to secure gettingearly, secure a preferential
rate kind of ban get in touchwith Francesca Sakina, who heads
up hot audience development atghci. She'll walk you through
the process and give youinformation on how you can
(24:00):
connect you with our audience ofaviation professionals and
obviously secure a better rate.
And in terms of the exhibitionwith we've only got 30% left in
terms of space.
Matthew Weitzel (24:11):
And that just means you've been doing your
job.
George Lydon (24:14):
Exactly, yeah.
It's a really strong rebootprocess. And yeah, I think
there's a there's a lot there'sthere's a lot of excitement
around the 25th year we had 950delegates last year. So we're
looking to more maybe over thatover that 1000 mark. That's
definitely the aim. And thenyeah, bringing more airline
professionals bring in moreground handlers, exhibitors, and
most importantly, secure moreone to one meetings for our
(24:35):
audience. net worth was over4001 to one meetings at the
annual 2000 here this week,incred over two files if you end
up with too big of 100. Yeah,
Matthew Weitzel (24:47):
that's really that's a lot. And those meetings
are so valuable. Let me tellyou, it's been amazing. So Well,
thank you so much for coming on,man. I really appreciate it.
George Lydon (24:55):
Thanks a lot, Matt, and thanks for your
support, and I look forward toseeing you and In Orlando next
year, but I'm sure I've seen youbefore them.
Matthew Weitzel (25:02):
Yes, for sure.
All right. Thank you. All right.
Bye. All right. Welcome to aspecial edition of the GSE
podcast where I am live at theeighth America's JGI conference
in Toronto, Canada. And I amlucky enough to be sitting next
(25:22):
to some wonderful women of GSE.
Abbie Hepler (25:26):
Thank you for having us today.
Karla Harrington (25:28):
That's a good one, Matt.
Matthew Weitzel (25:32):
So I'm here with Abby Hepler. And Carla
Harrington.
How are you guys doing today?
Abbie Hepler (25:37):
Feeling good.
Yeah, a
Matthew Weitzel (25:39):
day four on day. I'm ready. I'm ready to
have our little event this week.
Yes. Good. To see everyone who'sjoining,
what event are you having.
Abbie Hepler (25:47):
So are we are launching our first women of GSE
event today, actually, day four.
So we're having a mix and mingleat a local steakhouse here. And
so we launched those here at theevent. And the feedbacks been
really, really positive fromwomen and men and everybody
here. So we're really excited toget this launched and have our
event today. And we're, we'retalking plans for the future.
(26:11):
And and our next event will bethe Lisbon show. So a while more
more information to come onthat. But yeah, we've got some
exciting things planned.
And I think it's a goodopportunity at the Lisbon show
to have our little showcasethere. It's International, more
than just North America. And Ithink there's so many other
(26:31):
women and GSE that aren't awareof our presence. So this will be
a great event for us to justgather a little bit and see
where this goes right just tounite us no matter what part of
the business we're in or whowe're working for. It's just an
event and a group of people tonetwork with and encourage and
help other youthful women growin the industry.
Matthew Weitzel (26:52):
That's a great initiative. I I'm very
supportive of it. And I can'twait to go to the event today
and check it out and see howmany people come it's going to
be I people keep coming by thebooth and like grabbing, they're
so interested. And I thinkyou'll really have something
going here. And I'm very
Karla Harrington (27:07):
excited about it. Yeah. And I do have to give
a shout out to give shout out tosure
Matthew Weitzel (27:11):
we oh gosh, yeah, we were a big fan of the
shout out. Actually episode one.
There's like a million shoutouts. If you wait till the end,
it's actually a little bitoverboard. And we haven't really
done him since. But I'mdefinitely open to a shout out.
Go ahead. Well, I
Karla Harrington (27:24):
do want to shout out the men who are
supporting the women of GSE.
Because if they were not anactive participant in our
evolution, to some extent, wewould not be here. So we're very
grateful for those men who havesupported us and are supporting
us currently. And if you'rewilling to come alongside,
please let us know. We're onLinkedIn.
Abbie Hepler (27:42):
Women of GSE on LinkedIn. Yeah,
Matthew Weitzel (27:45):
yeah, check them out women of GSE. And
there'll be holding events,obviously. Today, we're about we
are actually about 30 minutesaway from this event right now.
So it's hot off the presses. Andthen we're going to have one in
Lisbon as well. So
Karla Harrington (27:59):
I can I just say so. Laura, Laura McGrath
with Mallaghan has been such anintricate part of putting this
event together for us, includingour little koozie. So if you
didn't get one, let us know inLisbon, we might have a few
leftover for you.
Matthew Weitzel (28:13):
Yeah, you got to stop by get a koozie and say
hello to the women of GSE. So isthere like a list of names like
how does this work?
Unknown (28:23):
So the list of names would be Abby, Carla, and anyone
else really who's part of it. Sowe were just we had the
opportunity really to I shouldsay I had the opportunity to
come alongside Abby, after thisentire women have GSE Inception
happened. And I'm very happy tobe part of it. Definitely not a
(28:43):
founder, but I am definitelyhere to support it and help it
grow. And just to reach out towhoever's in the community that
wants to be part of it. So yeah,
Matthew Weitzel (28:50):
so Abby, when did you get your start in GSE?
And how did that even comeabout?
Abbie Hepler (28:55):
So I started working with with a company in
2007 that produces manufacturersground support equipment,
actually, Kyle burners, how Igot my start in the industry. So
I worked for that company for 16years, and they were in other
markets, but obviously theground support side. So I've
(29:15):
been around it for a while, madethat I've been with Malahat now
for a year. And actually at theend of the GFC Expo in Vegas
last year, Joe and I were justlooking around and we're like,
you know, there's so many womenthat are coming into the
industry and and you know what,what, what can we do? So we
talked about developing thewomen of GSE group and Laura and
(29:37):
I and reached out to exceed andthey jumped on board right away.
So it's a journey and we'reexcited to see how it continues
to grow and develop.
Matthew Weitzel (29:47):
That's amazing.
Yeah, I just had Raven andMorgan on on the podcast from
Textron GSE. And I think they'rethere. They love the initiative.
They love the women of GSE idea,and I'm so glad you guys They're
doing it. So anything I can doto support and help, please let
me know. I encourage everybodyto go into LinkedIn, find women
have GSE follow them. And I'msure you all be providing a lot
(30:09):
of updates on there. Absolutely.
Yes. Well,
Karla Harrington (30:13):
thank you so much, Matt, just for having us
on the podcast. Oh, I'mdigitally forever. You're
Matthew Weitzel (30:20):
this has been a long time coming for Karla to be
on the podcast. She's also withExede. And she's been my partner
in crime for seven years. Butshe's been she's been an exceed
far longer than that. So wecelebrated our 10 year
anniversary this year. And she'sbeen with them. 10 out of 10
years,
Karla Harrington (30:37):
10 years. June 2014. I started so I'm very
grateful for that opportunity.
And I hope to be here foranother another 10 years would
be great. Yeah. Number three,employee number three employee.
Matthew Weitzel (30:47):
I got that right. Yeah, yeah, that's
important. Yeah. Lucky numberthree is what they said. Yes.
You
Karla Harrington (30:51):
know, three is a perfect number. Some would say
seven. But you know,
Matthew Weitzel (30:56):
I love it made a tomato. Yeah, exactly. So
Well, this has been a fantasticconference. I hope you all have
enjoyed it as much as I have. Iwish I could have enjoyed Abby
singing as much as other otherpeople have. It was not there. I
hate to say I got invited lastnight finally and had to decline
because I had to be fresh facedfor today. Because I had to do
(31:18):
podcasts. You know, I gotta lookgood for this kind of stuff,
even though we're not recording.
So. Alright. Well, thank you allso much for coming on. And we
will, let's catch up with womenof GSEC. And let's do a full
podcast just just talking aboutwomen of GSE. Wow.
Karla Harrington (31:32):
I don't know if we can sell enough time.
We'll try. Okay, sounds good.
Thank
Matthew Weitzel (31:36):
you all so much.
Abbie Hepler (31:36):
Thank you. All right.
Matthew Weitzel (31:41):
All right.
Well, welcome back to the finalinterview of kind of like,
really closing down the showhere at the eighth America's JGI
conference in Toronto, Canada,and I am with Max gozney. How're
you doing? Man?
Max Gosney (31:56):
Get off today, man.
Fantastic to be with you. Weboth look still immaculate after
three weeks. I've thought thesame my hair our place. Backs
under eyes. My
Matthew Weitzel (32:07):
hair is never out of place. Don't Yeah,
exactly. So. But yeah, we no no,no, there's no bags.
Max Gosney (32:13):
No bags,
Matthew Weitzel (32:13):
no bags. Yeah,
Max Gosney (32:16):
I think the all that we wear with pride. Exactly.
Matthew Weitzel (32:19):
So you've been up on stage this entire this
entire week. How's it been goingup there?
Max Gosney (32:24):
It's been great. I really loved doing the session
yesterday with yourself theelectrification and
sustainability panel,unbelievable lineup of experts
from across the region. We havemanufacturers, battery
specialists, we had airports,airline handlers, very brilliant
discussion about what lies infront. And it's been one of
many, we've had some greatcontent going on just been
(32:44):
talking about PRM services thismorning and the challenges here
in the Americas and other toknow the session on
electrification and had a casestudy from Air Canada. So yeah,
we've had some really gooddiscussions going on. Alongside
a lot, a lot, a lot of meetings,I think 2300 Plus, we're out. So
it's a record, but has beenincredibly busy. You've been
(33:04):
part of them out here on thefloor, in the meeting rooms. And
then in the exhibition hall.
Really, really busy three dayswith a lot of business being
done, we hope. Yeah, I
Matthew Weitzel (33:14):
think and this is what I've been kind of
talking about on this podcast isthat, yeah, there may have been
20 301 to one meetings, butthere was probably 10,000 or
more, because because we're allin the same place. You get to
see these people all the time,you know, you walk down stairs,
or, you know, take the elevatordownstairs to get a coffee in
the morning, and you get to seeyour customer. There's a one on
(33:34):
one meeting, you know, rightthere that has the best.
Unbelievable, it really is. It'scrazy. So you know what other
conferences or other events thatwe go to throughout the years.
They're not just in one hotel,right. And so you get those
contact points and all the time.
It was great.
Max Gosney (33:52):
We had a couple of presentations, where the initial
contact between the businesspartners was made in Punta Cana
last year, and now they'retalking about meeting at ghci.
And then delivering a reallysuccessful partnership to, you
know, a tackle a challenge, likeelectrification, you improve
business process, and themeeting has come about here. So
that's what we're all about.
It's just wonderful when youhear people who've met at the
(34:12):
bar in the meeting room or inthe exhibition hall, talked led
to you know, serious businessrelationship and then an
improvement in in in theindustry. So it's great to hear
Yeah, so
Matthew Weitzel (34:23):
I saw a lot of one on one meetings happening I
was involved in a lot of one onone meetings and then then then
when we all went upstairs, youtake two escalators, up the
stairs, right to the bar, youdon't even get to go up to your
room and change or anythingbefore you go out for the night.
You just because you have towalk right by that bar and
everyone's there and they'rethere screaming at you to come
(34:43):
over and you get to you get tosee I tried to be pulling people
in it really is we're
Max Gosney (34:48):
trying to load the coaches last night to delegate
dinner venue but unfortunatelythe tractor beam or the bar or
pulled a lot of delegates
Matthew Weitzel (34:54):
it was you right you like send people in
there with signs they wereholding up. Nobody was paying
attention. I mean ever Everybodywas just focused on the
conversation that they werehaving. But you know, everybody
ended up showing up to that, tothat event. It was great. Yes.
Great.
Max Gosney (35:07):
We had a brilliant night dance team was so it was a
great evening.
Unknown (35:11):
It was such a cool venue, being so close to the CN
Tower being to look up there,but then also in that kind of
like the train yard. He hadn'tlook it was very, very nice.
Max Gosney (35:20):
Something for everyone trainspotters?
Matthew Weitzel (35:21):
Exactly, yeah.
In beer and beer. Yeah. The beerwas there as well. So yeah, so
we got to see everybody there.
And then I ended up, we leftthere. We went and had another
customer dinner. We had couplecustomers out of dinner and saw
a competitor out to the samerestaurant and just ended up
talking to them. And it
Max Gosney (35:40):
was I mean, and you still look like you've slept 10
hours. And Vince. You
Matthew Weitzel (35:44):
know what, I have not been to the gym. But I
did get eight hours of sleeplast night, which is the first
time I've done that in a reallylong time. I was able to get to
bed, you know, around 1130 Inwoke up at 730. And I feel I
feel fantastic today. So
Max Gosney (35:59):
I need your secret.
Yeah. Waking up early, but thejetlag but nevermind. Yeah,
exactly.
Matthew Weitzel (36:05):
Yeah, this has been a fantastic conference, I
Max Gosney (36:09):
really satisfying to the growth in the event over the
sort of six, seven years thatI've been involved in running it
here in the Americas from thesecond I think second America's
in Miami, a couple 100 peopleand this year is a record 550
delegates attending to see thatgrowth and the expansion in the
audience. Milan's had the youknow, the loyal originals like
(36:29):
yourself, in essence, thisthought is just superb. And
we're off to we're going toOrlando next year. Rosen Shingle
Creek. So the ambition is we'vegot this audience in to spread
the word and to keep developingthe event and expanding it.
Matthew Weitzel (36:44):
And yeah, have heard he got talked to George.
We had George on the podcast,his first time ever on the
podcast, who says, yeah, exactlythis guy that works with you,
apparently. And so George cameup to me and I've already
secured my my stand for nextyear in Orlando, so I'm ready to
go. Exede will be there. I willbe there. IHS
Max Gosney (37:03):
Global exhibition sales manager George Lydon. Yes.
That's good to hear that thesegot you there. And then many
other interested in themspeaking to him and trying to
grow that exhibition area. Ithink we did a brilliant job
this year. And, George, I thinkwe're up to about just shy of 60
exhibitors. So again, that'samazing, because that's where
where we have the annualpossibly 2022. So a couple years
(37:24):
ago, we're almost at the samescale. This, this event might
have 60 plus next year. Sobrilliant to see that.
Matthew Weitzel (37:29):
Yeah, I was thinking 700 That's what I've
been thrown out there, Max. Sojust make sure you get there.
Okay, we'll just
Max Gosney (37:35):
write this for George's target.
Matthew Weitzel (37:36):
Yeah, it's more of a jour exactly. I
Max Gosney (37:40):
don't know. Do we service the demand much like the
industry that we're in but we'rewe're all catering to and the
demand is there for ourtransport for passengers demand
is therefore there for forattendant ghci we can make the
business connections and expandyour supply network and service
that demand by speaking to theright suppliers.
Matthew Weitzel (37:59):
Yeah. And so everybody's gonna be coming into
Orlando next year. Yeah, there'snonstop flights from from almost
everywhere to into Orlando, fromall the South American countries
we're gonna have a large trendis North America, it's really
easy to get there. And then wehave a brand new terminal in
Orlando that is absolutelybeautiful. And there's plenty of
great options there to eat andshop and all that kind of stuff.
(38:20):
And then new terminal sauerberggets to see that when they come
in, and then we have all thetourist attractions in Orlando
as well.
Max Gosney (38:25):
And I hear you by also rumor has it you're a big
Disney fan as well. Yeah, yeah.
Matthew Weitzel (38:29):
So I can be taking people on private tours.
Just reach out to me directly.
You can book those, you know,with Matt, you know what I mean?
And I'll take you out for a dayfor a small commission fee of
Oh, yeah, well, large commissionfee, and I can kind of show it
show you the landscape, youknow, and we can go see Becky
and whoever it might be there.
Max Gosney (38:47):
Yeah, well, ya know, my kids will definitely be
interested in coming. So we needto, you can discount me a little
bit. Maybe we can,
Matthew Weitzel (38:53):
we can see what we can do. I know some people,
you know, and then George haspromised that you will have
Mickey hands. Yeah. And that'sListen, that's just what George
said. I don't know. I can'tspeak for you, but and I told
him that you can borrow mine.
Right? Because obviously I havethose habits.
Max Gosney (39:09):
I'll be delighted to sport some Mickey hands. Yeah,
so if George wears his PrincessElsa, we have a deal. We have a
deal.
Matthew Weitzel (39:18):
Oh, yeah. So this is the American way. George
listens to this podcast. So nowwe are gonna have the best time
in Orlando. It's gonna be it'sgonna be a huge event but it'd
Max Gosney (39:30):
be great. You have the hinge point around the Miami
Florida area for the LatinAmerican delegates to to attend
and be there in force. And thenwe've gotten a really
interesting one the followingyear because we got the FIFA
Football World Cup. Yeah. Aroundthe time of the conference date.
So we'll be looking at where wewhere we moved to and where we
go. Because it's held in USA,Canada and Mexico. So taking the
(39:51):
show somewhat different in 2026.
Matthew Weitzel (39:54):
And then also just thought of this, but if
there's delegates that are inMiami, they can take bright
lines, we have a new train inFlorida. It's called the bright
line and you can take it it's anonstop Well, it's not nonstop,
necessarily, but to one way moreor less, from Miami to Orlando,
goes right into the airport. Andit's like a two and a half hour
(40:15):
journey. And it's really nice,beautiful, they have Wi Fi
onboard and all that stuff. Sothey don't really have to fly up
because they don't want to theycan take the train up and take
the train back. So you mightwant to do that yourself. Yeah.
Yeah, exactly. So yeah. And thenyou also have some other events
coming up before before Orlando.
So why don't you talk aboutthose. So
Max Gosney (40:34):
no rest for the wicked, of course. So we'll
straight on from this event tolook up GC Expo Europe, which is
coming up in September 17, tothe 19th. And Lisbon, very busy.
last remaining floor planpositions still available. And
booking in attendees registeringdelegates up on our numbers
where we're at for the launchshow in 2022. Lots of exciting
(40:54):
stuff going on, you know,equipment, demos, innovations.
Yeah, so we're really excitedabout that one, be very busy
with that over the next fewmonths and working with the team
Jen and the team IEMA, todeliver a growth event on the
launch in 2022. And help theindustry get to grips as we
discussed on the panel with someof these big topics like
sustainability, and you know,safety equipment, sensors,
(41:15):
innovation and automation,autonomous vehicles that will be
under discussion and be lookingat the latest equipment in those
fields. They're in Lisbon, thenwe have our African conference
after that one, which is beingheld in October, and we're there
in Nairobi, having that one sortof middle of October time,
looking to grow it last year, wehad around about 150 in Cape
(41:36):
Town want to grow that one,expand it out. It's the first
time we've held it since COVID.
Last year. And then it's the bigone, the annual the 25th
anniversary annual. So it's amassive occasion for us in the
industry. And we want to inviteeveryone who supported us over
that quarter of a century tokind of join together and look
back on not just the growth inthe achievements in the scale of
the annual but what the industryhas achieved in 25 years. What
(41:57):
are some of the innovationswe're most proud of the
development of the market? Imean, it's some names that have
fallen by the wayside of thegood airlines that were there in
1999. No longer with us. Butyeah, so we just want to make
that celebration really of 25years of industry collaboration
and inventiveness, new equipmentand making it better sector and
then look ahead to the next 25years and how we think the
(42:20):
challenge is going to change andwhat the ramp might look like by
2050. How different could it beautonomous vehicles robots,
maybe. So yeah, we inviteeverybody to come along and we
really extra special that one inBarcelona, on the third to the
fifth of December. That's
Matthew Weitzel (42:36):
gonna be a fantastic event. And I hope I
hope I can make it there.
Because I'd love to celebrate 25years and there's gonna be a
cake. I'm sure there's gonna bea cake right there. We're gonna
get a cake. Okay, we gotta get acake. Okay, you know what I
mean? Yeah, yeah, exactly. Then,you know, a cake to the silvers,
you know, over 1000 people, youknow, whatever. Yeah, yeah,
we'll figure it out.
Max Gosney (42:55):
We'll figure out how to have a big cake. Hopefully
1000 people plus. So yeah, we'lldo a
Matthew Weitzel (43:00):
cake both awesome. So Well,
congratulations on that. That'sgoing to be a fantastic event.
You'll have tons of eventscoming up. Obviously GSE Expo
Europe is going to be huge. Andwhen will you be starting your
podcast? To kind of discuss theGSE Expo year
Max Gosney (43:13):
we will follow in the footsteps of giants with
with what you've done here, man.
Thanks for your help with it.
But we are out subsidy, right.
We're planning to start apreview show with key supporters
of GTA Expo Europe, look at someof the things I mentioned
earlier around sustainableequipment electrification, and
invite people to preview whatthey're going to be doing at the
show. We're actually recordingthe first episode next week. So
hoping to release in the nextfew weeks are not quite as
(43:35):
lightning fast at the editing.
So it's our first time as Yeah,yeah, we would hope to certainly
get the first episode outimminently in next few weeks,
first few weeks of July. Andthen we plan a series of sort of
five, six previous showsdifferent guests, every time
some of the big supporters, someof the big manufacturers, TLDs,
Oshkosh Vestergaard those guystalking about what they're
(43:59):
doing, what they think about keyindustry trends, and a chance to
get some of the rest of my teamon the on the pod of the real
stars and then talk about theirrole in delivering the show in
the events and a little bit offun and hopefully give people a
bit of a taste and whet theirappetite for Lisbon. Okay, yeah,
that was important to have a newone in return and I'll set the
table for change.
Matthew Weitzel (44:18):
Oh, yeah, no, I don't know if I could be
interviewed. I like to interviewpeople so but yeah, I'd love I'd
love to come on. So what is thename of the podcast?
Max Gosney (44:25):
So with the GSE podcast is this one so what was
that Well, that's about it now.
Name of the show is going to bethe GSE Expo Europe podcast. So
very very imaginative but wewanted to keep it straight down
the line. Gaucho people knowwhat they're gonna get. So GST
Expo Europe podcast. Look outfor it. We're distributed by DHI
and you have a listen.
Matthew Weitzel (44:45):
Yeah, I'll repost it on my LinkedIn and
make sure they're made aware ofit. And hopefully they can. They
can take a listen and figure outwhat's going to happen. Yeah.
Yeah, that'd be great. Soanything else do we miss
anything else?
Max Gosney (44:58):
No, I think that's everything. Just just a big
thank you to do yourself and allof the members of the Nether
Jesse community have got behindthe show. And it wouldn't be as
big and successful as it istoday here in here in Toronto
without you guys backing it fromthe start. So Well, thank you.
We really appreciate it.
Matthew Weitzel (45:13):
Oh, yeah, not a problem in there. That was
another key theme, as I've beentalking to everybody. Throughout
the end of the day today was thefact that this is a community.
Max Gosney (45:23):
Definitely a community because that's been
that's what made it certainlyalways be that way. Yes.
Matthew Weitzel (45:27):
And it's just a fantastic community. And I'm
just so glad to be a part of it.
So and, and thank you so muchfor everything that you've done
and coming on our podcasts allthe time and helping me out. So
thank you so much, Max, andthanks so much. AhI. Yeah, so we
will. We'll catch up soon, I
Max Gosney (45:44):
guess. Yeah, look forward to speaking again soon.
Thank you very much for theopportunity once again. All
right. Thank you, Max. Thankyou, Matt.
Matthew Weitzel (45:54):
Thank you for tuning in to this episode of the
GSE podcast. We hope you foundit informative and engaging. If
this episode resonated with you,please share it with your
colleagues and peers and theground support equipment
community. Your support isinvaluable to us. We'd
appreciate if you could take amoment to rate and review our
podcast. Your feedback not onlyencourages us, but also helps
(46:15):
expand our reach within the GSEcommunity. Keep an eye out for
more episodes as we continue toexplore the dynamic world of
ground operations bring you thelatest trends, insights and
stories from the industry. Thankyou for listening to the GSE
podcast. And until we meetagain, stay grounded and keep
pushing forward.
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