The sudden cancellation of Summit 2015 came as a surprise to everyone. In the aftermath, InfoStream (IS) contacted Larry R. Evans (LRE), Managing Director and Thomas R. Trifaux (TRT), Chair of PetLynx Corporation to gain their perspective.
IS: What brought about the cancellation of Summit 2015?
LRE: Several elements contributed to the crisis encountered late on Friday, October ninth. The Urban Animal Foundation was carrying a deficit from 2014 and did not receive the delegate fees and sponsor dollars expected during the final pre-event week. The final straw was a change in terms by Delta which was made known to us at 1730hrs on Friday. Essentially, the shortfall for the 2015 event amounted to $100,000 (+/-) in addition to the 2014 deficit of $50,000 (+/-). Early on Saturday morning the PetLynx Board declined to cover anymore shortfall and the process of unwinding the 10th Annual Summit for Urban Animal Strategies began.
TRT: Other factors impacted PetLynx thinking in that moment. At Summit 2014, PetLynx had completed an investment of a million dollars over nine years and had seeded the Foundation with the first $50,000. By establishing the Urban Animal Foundation and setting up independent governance during 2015, PetLynx expected stronger support than what materialized. Finally, in early September PetLynx began the search for a partner and was no longer in a position to redirect thousands of dollars.
IS: How much money was invested in the 2015 Urban Animal programs and is this value lost?
LRE: Both questions have yet to be determined. The 2015/16 forecast shows annual expenses in the order of $480,000. During the past week we have provided delegates of Summit 2015 with a form that allows them to contribute the fees they have paid to the Foundation OR seek reimbursement in whole or in part. At the same time, staff are working to recover deposits and sponsor commitments. Once we discover the sunk costs as well as the contributions of alumni, sponsors and delegates we will bring this information to the Foundation board. In the meantime, others are working to send out the Annual Summit Briefing Book as well as to complete the Summit Awards and IRED Scholarship programs using alternate strategies.
TRT: Financial elements are important and must be sorted out in a transparent manner. However, in my mind, the intrinsic investment by Urban Animal Alumni, Associates and Collaborators, by PetLynx, by Evans and his family and by Sponsors is of greater value. This contribution to relationships, communication, collaboration and a more positive experience for people and pets over the past decade is unassailable. I am encouraged that Larry has received communication from hundreds of people around the globe who recognize these values and will pitch in to see it continue. Clearly, it is now up to the industry to take this investment and develop a move forward strategy.
IS: What do you see as the future of the Urban Animal program?
LRE: Right now isn’t the best time for me to comment. While I am encouraged by the compassionate response received from so many, it is unclear how this vision will move forward. The most important thing for me and my family, for my partners and for the millions of pet owners served by PetLynx is to invest the expertise we have to improve and protect the online services they use. I believe all those involved with Urban Animal have observed what can be accomplished by a few passionate people who have faith and confidence in each other. My faith constrains me to expect good things while working through these present challenges.
TRT: I would like to see the Urban Animal Program move to pre-funded programs as we have suggested. The risk for Urban Animal may be industry leaders who don’t see value for their business. While there has been lots accomplished, there still remains a tremendous opportunity for improving the experience of people and pets across the entire industry. For PetLynx, the risk was an overwhelming financial obligation. Urban Animal is a valuable program that is not sustainable without broader industry support.
IS: Is there anything else you would like to say to InfoStream readers?
TRT: We live in a volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous time. In military and business terms we call this situation VUCA! The changes to our experience as individuals and organizations are immense. I hope that InfoStream readers take comfort from the relationship they have with PetLynx and in particular with Evans who always sees the future more clearly than any of us. In my opinion, having him focus attention on finding a suitable PetLynx partner without distraction will serve shareholders, PetLynx subscribers, the Urban Animal industry and his family best! I know cancelling the Summit was a very difficult decision to take but I’ve also observed Evans to be a resilient and productive person. As he likes to say, ‘Onward and Upward’.
IS: Thank you for providing this prospective for InfoStream!
