9/19/22 Meeting Minutes

Carroll Rotary Club Meeting Minutes 9/19/22
 
Attendees:
Catti, Adam, Chris, Bob F., Hubert, John G., Joel S., Rich, Ann, Steve, Deb, Ron, Dave
 
Birthday/Anniversary/Brag Bucks:
  1. Steve – Celebrating New Hope is celebrating their 45th anniversary this week. There is a free dinner on Friday, September 23rd from 4-7 PM and a color run on Saturday, September 24th beginning at 10 AM.
Auction Update:
  1. Deb has confirmed radio station for auction date and will do the advertising.
  2. Eric Muhlbauer with Team Ford in Denison is donating a Yeti cooler with swag.
  3. Kay and Co. – donated a mani/pedi
  4. Hayley Implement is donating a battery powered push lawn mower.
  5. Carroll Country Club (Rich) – donating 4 rounds of golf with cart
  6. Arcadia Meats and Market on 30 are partnering up again with a meat package
  7. Wild Rose Package is in the works with Steve
  8. Game One donated 24 Game One hats
New Business:
  1. Thank you’ s: New Hope and St. Anthony’s
  2. Carroll Band Day: we will have a float on Saturday, October 1st; begins at 10a
  3. Hubert reports that ISU President can’t make it to Carroll until Spring of 2023
Speaker:
Mark Caraher with American Professional Quilting Systems (APQS)
  • This year marks 35 years in business.
  • 11/1 will be Mark’s 32nd anniversary with the company. He started as an electrician part-time and then farmed part-time and then set up the trade shows and now he does full time sales.
  • Started by local businessman when he bought a long arm quilting arm for his wife and then modified it.
  • 3 people in production when company was founded
  • 25 people currently in production; 30 total in company
  • 250 dealers worldwide in 50 countries
  • 5 models of machines ranging from $11K-$30K
  • Multi-billion-dollar industry
  • Sell approximately 800 brand new machines every year
    • They do accept their old machines on trade for new ones
  • Lifetime warranty on parts
  • Fully American made
  • 15-17 competitors in this industry at this level: APQS #1
  • Created a subsidiary company called Ballistic
    • 4-5 years in operation
    • Basketball thrower
    • Marketing and sales are handled by a 3rd party
    • Same staff as APQS builds units

Next weeks speaker is John Norwood – candidate for Secretary of Agriculture