Members of Success Group Internationals’ contractor groups — Plumbers’ Success International, Roofers’ Success International, AirTime 500 and Electricians’ Success International — received advice from two military veterans on learning from adversity, fear and teamwork at SGI’s biannual expo Sept. 23-25 at the Waldorf Astoria Boca Raton Resort and Club in Boca Raton, Fla. Nearly 929 people attended, 245 of which came from 115 plumbing contractor companies.

In honor of RSI’s 10-year anniversary, a Casino Night welcome reception was held for all SGI members. Money raised from the event — which totaled $5,850 — went to help benefit Folds of Honor, a charity to provide educational scholarships to the spouses and families of veterans that were killed or disabled in action.

The opening keynote speaker, U.S. Air Force Reserve Major Dan Rooney, Folds of Honor founder, shared his story of combat and serving others while highlighting the importance of faith, teamwork, accountability and finding your life’s mission.

SGI President Rebecca Casseldiscussed what the future of training will look like now that SGI is no longer affiliated with Clockwork Home Services/Direct Energy. Members attended breakout sessions in the afternoon. A vendor showcase with 64 companies ended the evening.

The final day members split into group-specified general sessions. PSI members learned how to develop a proper payroll system and how to increase club membership sales.

Attendees heard from Ziglar motivational speaker Krish Dhanam, who encouraged them to become constructive critics of their lives and businesses.

They also heard from David Rutherford, who served eight years in the Naval Special Warfare Community as a SEAL student, combat paramedic, operator and instructor. He discussed The Froglogic Concept and how attendees could apply it to their businesses. Froglogic consists of four main concepts: embrace fear, forge self-confidence, live the team life and live with purpose.

“There is no such thing as being fearless,” he said. “You can’t defeat fear; it’s a part of us. Embrace it. Failure also is essential in life. Be willing to fail and grow from it. Help others, lead with love and live with courage.”

For more on this event, read Nadia Askar’s On the Road blog.