We just returned from our two annual summer events, the Dealership Minds Summit and the National Strip-Till Conference, held in Illinois’ capital city of Springfield. I, as a college intern, attended along with 14 other staffers from Lessiter Media, and if you were there, you likely saw  me taking photos and helping out with registration.

I recently wrote a blog documenting a trip that my father, Mike Lessiter, and I took through Illinois. It was eye-opening during that trip to experience the state outside of the Chicago area, and that feeling continued in Springfield. 

Springfield is most commonly associated with 3 things: being the adult hometown of 16th president Abraham Lincoln, the capital of Illinois, and having the historic Route 66 highway running through it. Even the hotel the conferences were held in was named “the President Abraham Lincoln.” 

Posing in front of the Illinois capitol building, 11 years apart. Where do the years go?

I had visited Springfield once as an 8-year old with my dad, so it was a cool experience being able to rewalk those streets as a young adult.

The host cities for these events typically have some interesting historical sites I try to see while I’m in town, and along with several other historical buildings associated with the 16th president (including his law office and the tomb of his final resting place) Springfield is home to the Lincoln Home National Historic Site. 

However, it wasn’t these Lincoln sites that attracted so many people to Springfield for the week. Rather, it was to meet with their like-minded peers who share a common goal of seeking a better way for their businesses and industry.

Equipment dealers and farmers from all over the country, and internationally as well, gathered to meet and discuss how they could better run their operations.

Lively networking at the Dealership Minds Summit.

When I was younger I had no idea how technical and complicated these businesses could be, but I’ve gained respect for farmers and the equipment manufacturers and dealers while working alongside the LM staff at these events.

Networking cocktail reception at the Dealership Minds Summit.

A key takeaway from these events was just how important our work at Lessiter Media is to our audience. The passion that attendees have is apparent through their energetic discussions at roundtable sessions, conversations I’ve had with people about speakers and their presentations as well as the lengths that many attendees will travel to attend.

Passion for the industry was also at full display during the Dealership Minds Summit, when five individuals were inducted into the Farm Equipment Dealer Hall of Fame. The ceremony was emotional and put in perspective how these businesses are much more than just a capitalistic venture.

Tim Brannon accompanied by Mike Lessiter at his Hall of Fame induction speech.

As inductee Tim Brannon put it, “Agriculture is what feeds the world, we provided the equipment to farmers to help feed the world and make a living doing it. It is almost a religious experience to realize that what the good Lord created he’s put us in charge of to maintain and use to feed our fellow man.”

The Strip-Till Hall of Fame was equally as impactful, highlighting the difference that several farmers made to advance a fledgling conservation tillage practice. And with a near record-breaking attendance this year, it was inspiring to see how interested people in this industry are in leaving a mark for the betterment of all.

Frank, Hayden and Mike Lessiter with Dealership Minds Summit speaker Bryan Arzani (second from right). Arzani gave a passionate presentation on the importance of making sure employees find roles best suited for them.

Along those same lines, the collaboration among attendees was notable. In addition to many people making new friends or seeing old ones for the first time in a while, people were collaborating and discussing their businesses even when they may have been competing with each other. The roundtable discussions were a place where all offered up advice as to how to avoid real-world mistakes, as well as learn new tips and strategies to better their businesses.

Round-table discussion at the National Strip-Till Conference.

The Strip-Till Conference especially provided collaboration between farmer, dealer and manufacturer in the sessions, classrooms, meals and especially in the hallways, talking with and answering questions.Through collaboration and communication between everyone — like what took place in Springfield last week —  a better future can be secured for all.

As Lincoln quoted from the Bible during his U.S. Senate nomination speech in Springfield, “a house divided against itself will not stand.” Lincoln was referencing the grave issue of slavery dividing the nation, but a similar lesson can be gained here. 

The type of courage that Lincoln displayed during his time as a strong leader who believed in the success and united future of his country during a tumultuous period in the nation’s history can be observed through those in the agriculture business who continue to invest in themselves and their industry, even throughout difficult times like these.

It will be exciting to see what next year holds for the Dealership Minds Summit and National Strip-Till Conference, which will both be held for the first time in the Quad Cities across Illinois and Iowa.

Young Hayden in the Lincoln Presidential Library, located in Springfield, 2015.

There aren’t any National Parks or Historic Sites to my knowledge there, but Davenport does have the claim to the first commercial bread slicer, so that’s enough for the area to have a historical draw for me. See you there!