Roz Applebaum, VP Warranty Innovations Conferences, at Strategic Solutions Network
If you have ever attended Warranty Innovations or Global Warranty Innovations, the smiling face you meet when you come in and the fierce organizational expertise is Roz Applebaum. Roz has over 30 years of experience in the conference industry, leading teams and managing events with thousands in attendance over the years.
When we asked what first got her into the Warranty Industry, Roz expressed her love for identifying trends, hot topics, and producing events; a space she realized was underserved in the warranty market. There was a gap and she set out to close it.
As Vice President of Warranty Innovations Conference at Strategic Solutions Network, Roz relies primary on research and collaboration with industry leaders from all sides of the warranty spectrum. She shared “there is no substitute for engaging with the market on a regular basis to find out what is on people’s minds and understand their pain points and opportunities.” She continued, “Our job as information providers is to find relevant and proven solutions and showcase them to the industry at our events.”
Strategic Solution Network’s mission is to deliver “strategic solutions” to businesses. Through research, the company found that the warranty industry would benefit from an event that brings industry leaders together across functional areas and industries to share best practices and network. They now produce the only conferences that provide forums for cross-fertilization between industries and departments. They also offer industry-specific roundtables to allow for deep dives into unique challenges and opportunities facing their market sector.
As an influencer, Roz says, “There is no substitute for in-person conferences to bring people together outside the pressures and distractions of their office to mingle and discuss key industry issues. We even try to have content-rich emails when notifying people of these conferences.”
We asked Roz to share an example of how her guidance or recommendations have helped individuals within the industry, she shared, “I love connecting executives— whether it’s a potential buy-sell relationship, a career advancing opportunity or a chance to solve mutual business challenges. It is very gratifying to see deals initiated and closed at our conferences.”
Roz shared her excitement in hearing how much attendees learn at events. She says the surveys and verbal feedback are consistently positive as the conference offers learning and networking opportunities, providing take-home information and contacts that really make a difference.
In speaking to any challenges or obstacles she has faced as a warranty influencer in the warranty industry, Roz simply states, “Some people do not recognize the difference between shareable and proprietary knowledge. In fact, collective information sharing helps everyone, helps move the industry forward, and does not have to compromise trade secrets.”
Overall, Roz embraces her role that demands her being on the cutting edge of industry trends. She stays close to the market and is consistently talking to executives on all sides of the industry, in a wide range of functional areas, to provide balanced and objective information opportunities, innovations and upcoming market disruptions. Roz loves finding the next hot topic and lining up speakers who are on the leading edge and willing to share their best practice stories.
At Women of Warranty, we sincerely appreciate her immediate and enthusiastic willingness to support our efforts. The first thing she said was “How can I help?” I told her to bring lots of coffee and let’s roll up our sleeves. Thank you Roz!