These are a few of my favorite things since I joined The Cannata Report.
It’s been my privilege to work at The Cannata Report for nearly ten years. During my tenure, so many things stand out for me that have been life-changing that I wanted to share my own personal Top Ten.
Domestic Travel: Working in this industry has allowed me to travel to all parts of the country, mainly urban and rural areas in the Midwest and South that I had never been to before. As a result of my domestic travels, I developed a greater understanding of our country. Learning firsthand how we all think the way we do and how each of us forms our ideas based on varied backgrounds, circumstances, and experiences enabled me to grow and open my mind to new ideas and broaden my perspective.
Japanese Culture: I had the opportunity to get to know, in a 360-degree manner, Japanese culture through my trips to Japan to meet with senior level executives at the OEMs. When The Cannata Report team traveled in 2014 and 2018 to meet with Japanese “Big Six” manufacturers, we discussed their global strategies and plans, but I also had the opportunity, particularly in 2018, to engage in some off-the-record, personal discussions with several executives about their views of the United States that were thought-provoking and fascinating. As a result, I have a greater understanding of how the Japanese conduct business and how they see the world.
Dealer Visits: We’ve had the privilege of conducting formal interviews for our dealer tour stories (we’ve written over 60 dealer profiles in our CR Connect and CR Live series) with some of the most successful, innovative, and hospitable business executives I’ve ever met. We have met with both dealer principals and their senior staff on many occasions, which has been invaluable to me. I’ve forged key relationships that have kept me informed about what is important to dealers – who have always been the anchor for our business and our core audience.
Industry Events: I have had the opportunity to attend some tremendous events at first-class venues, including OEM dealer meetings, dealer group meetings, and other vendor events. These gatherings were great educational experiences and phenomenal life experiences. While many of the events we attended left lasting impressions in my mind, there are three – all which were international – that stand out: the Samsung analyst trip to South Korea (2016), Konica Minolta’s Event in Berlin (2017), and the Epson analyst trip to Japan (2019).
Industry Colleagues: I have had the privilege to have met and worked with so many accomplished entrepreneurs and executives who have been advocates, mentors, friends, and most importantly, who encouraged me. I am humbled by and appreciate their continued belief in me and The Cannata Report team.
Women Influencers and Young Influencers: Among the achievements I’m most proud are the diversity initiatives I have spearheaded. Inspired by my mother’s independence and her career achievements, I knew I wanted to do what I could to acknowledge, promote, and celebrate the accomplishments of women across the industry. This year, we will be publishing our 9th Annual Women Influencers Issue and spotlighting the contributions of women at all levels of the industry. I’m also proud that we’ve promoted the achievements of young people in the industry who are doing some amazing and noteworthy things in our Annual Young Influencers issue. We are grateful to the industry for embracing our initiatives.
The Cannata Report Gala: Another achievement I am particularly proud of is the evolution of our Awards & Charities Gala. My mother and business partner Carol had a definitive vision to evolve The Cannata Report’s signature event while remaining faithful to Frank’s original mission of bringing competitors, colleagues, and friends together once a year to “take the gloves off” and celebrate the industry together. With input and contributions from highly respected industry icons like our emcee, Bob Goldberg, and The Cannata Report team, Carol and I have evolved the event into a true awards show with a party atmosphere inspired by our love of music and entertainment. We infused the evening with music and video, flashing cameras, and photo ops inspired by the Oscars and Emmys. The event’s guest list has always included industry veterans, but in recent years we’ve welcomed next-generation executives and substantially more women executives.
After Hours: I would be absolutely remiss not to mention the many late nights spent with industry colleagues at restaurants, bars, and casinos (I could go on, but you get the point) enjoying cocktails, laughing, storytelling, and dancing, as well as some offbeat (though always within the confines of appropriate, for the most part) behavior. I remember throwing an impromptu party with the support of some key partners and industry friends at The Venetian’s Bourbon Room (now gone) in Las Vegas that many attendees told me the next day would be unforgettable These evenings helped strengthen and broaden the relationships I have developed and the camaraderie I have enjoyed in this industry.
The Cannata Report Staff: The most important message I would like to convey is that The Cannata Report would not be what it is today without our exceptionally talented and dedicated staff starting with Scott whose reputation in the industry as a truly trusted and admired journalist is so deserved. Scott and his team of writers have been the catalyst behind so much of the evolution of The Cannata Report. His caché and notoriety in the industry increased during the last two years judged by the many emails I’ve received from readers acknowledging many exceptional articles written by Scott. I also want to acknowledge the other staff members who truly make it all happen: Cathy O’Brien, our executive marketing director; Doreen Borghoff, our design director; Sharon Esker, our story and features editor/chief correspondent, Women Influencers and Young Influencers franchises; and Saul Rosenbaum, our senior director of digital operations.
Frank Cannata: I wasn’t prepared to get to know my father in the way I do now, and I am so grateful. Frank and I have always been close, and I have always looked up to him. There is no one else I know who teaches by example as consistently as he has and who puts everyone he loves – as well as the business – above himself. I have gone to him for life guidance and advice as far back as I can remember. If you are fortunate to have a father like mine, and I know many people reading this likely do, and he tells you he is learning from you, that has to be among your proudest moments. It’s not because you are trying to best your father, but because you respect him so much that you can’t believe that anything you’ve done has impacted his personal or business development. It was a thrill for me to honor Frank and an even bigger thrill that it was so heartily embraced by the industry, by creating an award to recognize his philanthropy and present it to him at our Gala in 2021.
