Manheim, PA - I hope everyone can successfully navigate the COVID-19 challenges as the summer months pass by. I want to make sure everyone is aware of the FIRST EVER, virtual NWCA Convention, which went live earlier this morning and will run through Friday. We have already shattered our previous convention attendance record of 375 with over 600 registrants. Recognizing that many of our WIBN members also serve as wrestling coaches in their communities, we hope you will consider registering for the convention. Our topics are presented by some of the top experts in the coaching development field.

Even if you are unable to participate from July 29 through the 31st, you will have access to all presentations until October 27. following the convention. Please click here to register: http://www.nwcaonline.com/2020-nwca-to-host-virtual-convention/.  

With respect to our virtual convention, I wanted to give a “shout out” to a few of our WIBN chapter leaders who have made extraordinary contributions toward the content and promotion of our NWCA Convention: 

• WIBN/Princeton Chapter leader, Joe Savino interviewed some of our WIBN Chapter leaders along with specific constituents who benefitted from the WIBN activities over the years. These short interviews with WIBN Chapter leaders provide a compelling” case” for other business leaders and coaches across America to help us start new WIBN Chapters. I also want to acknowledge the fantastic teamwork of the following WIBN Chapter leaders who collaborated with Joe Savino in putting the presentation together: WIBN/Cleveland Chapter Leader, Aaron Grossman; WIBN/Metro NYC Chapter Leader Ed Rufrano; and WIBN/Western NY Chapter Leader, Dr. Steve Sanko.

• The WIBN presentation at our convention highlights the critical role that “retired coaches” can play in the establishment of new WIBN chapters. Typically, retired coaches have direct access to a vast network of wrestling alumni (in their region), many of which have become high profile corporate and community leaders. We are counting on the retired coaches to help us recruit and organize wrestling alumni in their regions to volunteer to serve on local WIBN chapter boards.  

• We are also looking forward to WIBN/Cleveland Chapter leader, Aaron Grossman, who has agreed to deliver one of our convention keynote speeches. His message will focus on developing a winning team culture within any organization. 

• WIBN/Western NY, WIBN/Atlanta, WIBN/Princeton, WIBN/SW Florida, and WIBN/Delaware have all provided scholarships for deserving scholastic and collegiate wrestling coaches who are experiencing COVID-19 related financial hardships to register for our NWCA Convention. 

Lastly, many of you provided terrific feedback on the June WIBN newsletter concerning topics that you would like us to cover in a proposed Fall 2020 WIBN webinar series. Some of the most recurring requests are as follows:

• Tax strategies for small business owners as they navigate through the COVID-19 pandemic challenges.

• Business development in the new virtual world.

• Any updates on having the PPP Loan forgiven.

I am sure there are many other topics that business leaders would be interested in hearing. Please keep those recommendations coming. We will do our best to incorporate them into our Fall Webinar Series.  

Please know we recognize the significant challenges that many business leaders continue to have as the result of COVID-19. We have a fantastic network of wrestling alumni in our WIBN community, and please don’t hesitate to let me know if we can ever help you with connections. I think that is all for now. I hope that many of you will register to participate in our NWCA convention later this week. 

All the best, Mike