To All Authorized Members,
As I am writing this letter, HMI has just closed out the third quarter of 2023 having completed more emergency tree removal assignments in nine months than in any full year prior. To accomplish this in a year without a single major hurricane event (so far) is really extraordinary and the result of increasing utilization of HMI’s services by our clients. This trend is, again, a testament to the high-quality product that HMI, together with the tree care professionals in our network, provide to homeowners every day. This year will likely be remembered as the year that HMI’s network truly separated itself from all other first responder programs by offering our clients the best service available in the industry, and at the right price.
Not surprisingly, HMI is also receiving more requests from tree care companies to join our network than ever before. We have increased the number of Authorized Members (AMs) in our network by almost 25% this year. This growth has enabled us to expand the geographic area that we service, and we have also added capacity in several key markets around the country. The growth in our network couldn’t have come at a better time given the volume of work we’ve been processing and the growth we expect in 2024. HMI is currently in advanced discussions with four potential new clients for our emergency tree removal service. Three of them are top 10 residential insurance carriers. If you were pleased with the value you received from your membership in HMI’s network this year, I believe you will be even more so next year.
I hope everyone reading my letter has taken the opportunity to download HMI Connects, our newly improved mobile app. HMI's developers recently released a final version of the app that has been getting high marks from the field. Our AMs are reporting much faster download and upload speeds when compared with the previous app. As you know, we are always asking for more/better photos and quicker updates on open files in the RMS. The mobile app is the only way to efficiently collect the necessary data on an HMI assignment and quickly upload it to the RMS. We will continue investing in mobile technology to ensure you have the most efficient way to process all HMI referrals.
If you haven’t already downloaded HMI Connects, please do so. While the 2023 hurricane season has yet to generate a major storm event for us, we are now heading into another typically active time of year. In late fall, HMI starts watching for weather patterns that may generate early snow or ice storms, or nor’easters, all of which have in the past generated a high volume of work for our network. Based on how 2023 has played out so far, everyone at HMI is expecting Mother Nature to deliver at least one more blow before year end.
Lastly, I hope to see everyone at the TCIA Expo in St. Louis this week. If you are attending, please stop by our booth (#1817) and pick up a special gift for all Authorized Members commemorating HMI’s 20th Anniversary. Also, be sure to block off Friday night from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., and join the HMI team at our happy hour being held at the Budweiser Brew House in the Ballpark Village, a short 10-minute walk from the convention center. We all have a lot to celebrate this year!
Thank you all. Stay safe!
Regards,
Doug Cowles
President, Horticultural Asset Management, Inc.
