Network ’08, Sept. 30-Oct. 3, brings together members of the American Supply Association and the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors – National Association.

The two groups come together for special keynote presentations and then split up to focus on industry specialties.

Let’s take a look at a couple of joint presentations. Unless otherwise noted, all Network ’08 events will take place in the Marriot Marquis:

Wednesday, Oct. 1

6-7:30 p.m.

• Grand Opening Reception – Atrium Ballroom
  Sponsored by Bradford White and InSinkErator
  Welcome to Network‘08 and Atlanta, and start off your week in style by attending this fabulous event. The reception will give you a chance to catch up with your industry colleagues while enjoying the warm hospitality of our generous sponsors.

Thursday Oct. 2

• Keynote Presentation: Make Some Noise – Atrium B&C
  Sponsored by PHCC Educational Foundation and the ASA Education Foundation
  Ken Schmidt, former communications director of Harley-Davidson Motor Co., played an active role in one of the most celebrated turnarounds in corporate history.
  “How the people of Harley-Davidson were able to turn this great company around, as successfully as we did, makes for one of the best business stories of all time,” he says.
  His presentation is a fascinating story of building an entirely new corporate culture, of rekindling relationships with customers and reaching out to new ones in completely untraditional ways. After all he has accomplished, his philosophy of life and business has remained the same: “Never do what’s expected, make yourself as noticeably different as possible, and have a lot more fun than you’re supposed to.”
  In addition to delivering advice on learning to make some noise, Ken motivates audience members to:
  • Energize employees to work better together.
  • Win the battle over negative consumer perceptions or stereotypes.
  • Rebuild a brand or build a new one from scratch.
  • Market products or services on a limited budget.
  • Create market differentiation through non-traditional techniques.

Here’s a list of individual events:

ASA Events

Wednesday, Oct. 1

1:30 p.m.-3 p.m.

• ASA Profitability Workshop: Increasing Your Company’s Performance And Profitability Through Training – Lobby 401
  Over the next 15 years American industry will face a shortage of almost 30 million employees. Without an effective training strategy, wholesaler-distributors will be hard pressed to attract and keep productive, profit-producing employees.
  Join Paul F. Martin, senior director, program and business development, ASA Education Foundation, to learn how to develop plans for training that connects to profitability:
  • Align training initiatives with company business strategies.
  • Select and implement the training that most impacts critical numbers.
  • Overcome obstacles to effective training.
  • Leverage training efforts with HR tools and practices that ensure success.
  • Measure the success of the training from a business perspective.
  Participants in the session will receive handouts, worksheets and a coupon worth 35 percent off the price of the ASA Education Foundation’s Employee Performance Improvement Tool Kit©.

Thursday Oct. 2

7-8:45 a.m.

• ASA IPD Breakfast Program: The Future is Your Decision – Marquis A&B
  Dr. Jeff Dietrich, senior analyst for the Institute for Trend Research, will present an overview of the United States and global economies, focusing on the impact of China, India and other emerging nations on the industrial and mechanical PVF industry.
  He will examine how, given the current economic conditions here and overseas, U.S. businesses can most effectively compete and profit going forward. Forecasts looking out beyond 2009 will be included. Q&A time will be included. (Open only to IPD members. Ticket required.) 

7-8:45 a.m.

• ASA Plumbing Industry Breakfast: Conserving America’s Water Resources: Business Sense, Water Sense, Common Sense – Marquis C&D
  There’s a reason that water has become a national priority. A recent government survey showed at least 36 states are anticipating local, regional, or statewide water shortages by 2013. But by using water more efficiently, we can help preserve water supplies for future generations, save money, and protect the environment.
  Environment Protection Agency Administrator Stephen L. Johnson has been invited to address ASA attendees to discuss WaterSense, a partnership program sponsored by the EPA, which seeks to protect the future of our nation’s water supply by promoting water efficiency and enhancing the market for water-efficient products, programs, and practices.

10:15-11:45 a.m.

• ASA Special Presentation: Selling In Any Economy By Creating A WOW Factor – Atrium B&C
  Sponsored by Elkay
  How well do sales people get one extra item on a customer order, increase margins by 1 percent, or cultivate a new customer in tough economic times? Or do they only look to you to cut prices just to make a sale?
  Jeffrey Gitomer, author of The New York Times best sellers, “The Sales Bible,” “The Little RedBook of Selling,” “The Little Black Book of Connections,” and “The Little Gold Book of YES! Attitude,” knows what it takes to distinguish you in any economy by getting those extra items or that extra percent by delivering what he calls the WOW Factor.

Noon-1:30 p.m.

• ASA Member Luncheon: Annual Meeting and President’s Report – Atrium A
  Sponsored by A.O. Smith
  Join your fellow ASA member wholesalers and manufacturers and hear from ASA’s president Jeff New and the newly elected ASA officers for 2009 during the association’s Annual Meeting. Learn what the association has been up to, what plans are in store for the future and what some of our brand new programs are all about.

ASA Seminars

1:45-3:15 p.m.

• Understanding The National Green Building Landscape – International 4
  Robin Pharo, president of Healthy Homes, will review the three different national “green” programs ― the NAHB Model Green Building Guidelines, the ICC/NAHB National Green Building Standard, and the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED for Homes. She’ll also discuss marketing and product certification programs including WaterSense, Cradle-to-Cradle, and others as well as ways in which a business can incorporate information from these programs into their marketing initiatives.
  
  
• How To Find And Hire Good People – International 7
  Mike Mayberry, founder of HVAC Agent, Plumbing Agent and Electrical Agent, will examine the keys recruiting success:
  • The Statistics of Recruiting: What are the odds you’ll find the person you’re looking for?
  • Being a Bulldog: The key to success is consistency and persistence.
  • Employment advertising that costs little or no money.
  • Recruiting from outside your local area.
  
  
• The Importance Of Gauging The 15 Most Critical Performance Ratios … And How ASA’s OPR Can Be Used As A Powerful Tool To Do So – International 2
  Tom Noon, principal of Industry Insights, will identify the most important measures that consistently lead to superior performance in the PHCP/PVF distribution industry, and show how the annual ASA Operating Performance Report is an invaluable tool for gauging performance.

3:30-5 p.m.

• Greening Your Bottom Line – International 4
  Robin Pharo, president of Healthy Homes, will show attendees not only how to incorporate greater levels of sustainability into their own businesses, but also how to better understand homebuyer behaviors and purchasing decisions.
  
  
• “Meet The Pros” Roundtable Sessions – International 7
  Hosted by the ASA Young Executives Division
  Back by popular demand, the Young Executives of ASA are pleased to host this session where executives who are recognized throughout the industry for their unique expertise are the featured attractions. In this session, our “Pros” have volunteered to make themselves available for casual, round-table conversation to share what they know.
  
  
• ASA IPD Workshop: The Forces Impacting The Metals Industry Today – International 2
  Bob Weidner, president and CEO of the Metals Service Center Institute, examines the positive and negative impacts of foreign entities and global consolidation on the supply chain and the forces that are shaping industry competition. Weidner will also share his insights on what the current economic situation and the impending presidential election will mean for your business.

Friday, Oct. 3

7-8:30 a.m.

• ASA Wholesaler, Manufacturer And Rep Breakfast: Politics 2008: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly – Imperial B
  Stuart Rothenberg, editor and publisher of the Rothenberg Political report, will provide insightful analysis in the 2008 presidential campaign, and many of the key house and senate races.

PHCC Events

Wednesday, Oct. 1

9:00-11:45 a.m.

• PHCC Business Boot Camp: Basics for New Business Owners – Georgia World Congress Center
  Being a new business owner presents countless challenges. John O’Connor, business coach for the Quality Service Contractors, will decipher the numbers on financial statements. During this session, attendees will learn about balance sheets, how to use P&L statements to set selling price and measure performance, and ways to improve productivity and cash flow.

Noon-1 p.m.

• PHCC Lunch With Champions – Brown Bag Lunch And Idea Share  – Georgia World Congress Center (For PHCC members only)
  Stop and pick up a sandwich from one of the food vendors at the Georgia World Congress Center and join your fellow members for facilitated roundtable discussions to share knowledge and swap ideas. The topics are up to you. 

3-5 p.m.

• PHCC Educational Foundation Plumbing Apprentice Contest Orientation – Georgia World Congress Center
  The PHCC Educational Foundation International Plumbing Apprentice Contest will again be a featured part of ISH North America. This year’s contest is open to plumbing apprentices from the United States and abroad. Don’t miss this opportunity for a truly unique learning experience, including apprentice-specific education seminars, visiting ISH North America, and networking opportunities with other apprentices and a variety of industry professionals. New this year will be a hands-on critique session with the judges after the contest, as well as a special contestant dinner sponsored by the Copper Development Association.

7:30-10:30 p.m.

• PHCC PAC Reception And Auction – Imperial A
  The PHCC Political Action Committee reception will feature both live and silent auctions with fabulous gifts and collectibles.

Thursday Oct. 2

7 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

• PHCC Educational Foundation Plumbing Apprentice Contest – Georgia World Congress Center

7:30-8:30 a.m.

• Bradford White Breakfast For PHCC – Atrium A
  Join Bradford White for this deluxe continental breakfast prior to the keynote presentation. Be sure to take home your complimentary souvenir mug to add to your collection.

8:30 a.m.-7 p.m.

• Test Drive the Construction Contractors’ Alliance – Atrium 705
  If you are a PHCC plumbing and mechanical new construction contractor, you’re invited to “test drive” the Construction Contractors’ Alliance during any or all of the seminars and networking sessions offered by CCA on Oct. 2 during Network‘08.
  Pick and choose from State of the Economy reports in the morning, a Strategies for Improving Productivity seminar led by FMI’s Jason Baumgarten, a lunchtime exchange of ideas and afternoon roundtable discussions focusing on productivity issues facing commercial and residential contractors.

10:15 a.m.-11:45 a.m.

• Social Media Training – Atrium 702 (For PHCC Chapter Executives only)
  Sponsored by the Association Executives Council
  Kevin J. Jerge, ThePort Network Inc., will examine the new and emerging media and how can you make it work for you. Join fellow chapter executives and get a better understanding of FaceBook, MySpace, wikis and YouTube.

Noon-1 p.m.

• PHCC Lunch With Champions – Brown Bag Lunch And Idea Share  – Georgia World Congress Center (For PHCC members only)
  Stop and pick up a sandwich from one of the food vendors at the Georgia World Congress Center and join your fellow members for facilitated roundtable discussions to share knowledge and swap ideas. The topics are up to you.

Friday, Oct. 3

9:45-11 a.m.

• The Aliens Have Landed – Meet Generation Why: Understanding, Managing And Motivating Your New Workforce – Atrium A
  Sponsored by PHCC Educational Foundation
  Eric Chester, author of “Generation Why,” is here to tell you about your young emerging workforce — 68 million strong. With more 40 million under-25-year-olds currently employed, the future clearly belongs to those companies and organizations that understand and can connect with Generation Why.
  Generation Why has the time, the tools, and the talent to create a better world, and to create optimum results for your business. They are book smart, street wise, and techno savvy.  However, they do not see things like you do, and they cannot be recruited, trained, managed, and motivated using the same strategies and methods.
  This exciting and revealing session will give you an in-depth look at Generation Why and help you understand what they value and how they approach the workplace. You’ll then learn specific strategies for working with Generation Why, giving you a decided advantage over your competitors.

11:15 a.m.-1 p.m.

• PHCC 2008 Awards Luncheon – Atrium B&C
  Sponsored by InSinkErator
  PHCC, the PHCC Educational Foundation and the PHCC – National Auxiliary will recognize outstanding achievement. Sponsored by InSinkErator, join us for this celebration of the association’s best for 2008 – the best PHC contractors, apprentices, students, Auxiliary members and association executives.

PHCC Seminars

1:30-2:45 p.m.

• Getting No. 1 On Google: Growing And Defending Your Business On The Net – International 4&5
  Sponsored by the PHCC Educational Foundation
  “How do I get on Google?” is the No.1 question PHCC web site marketing partner Brian Kraff, Market Hardware, hears from PHCC members. More and more consumers are not turning to the Yellow Pages when they need a PHC pro, they’re turning to the Internet. And they are not choosing a “contractor,” they’re choosing a web site! Learn how to make sure that consumers in your area will find your web site when they need it most.
  
  
• The High Stakes Of Immigration And Employment Compliance – Ignoring The Issue Is No Longer The Most Cost-Effective Solution – International 7&8
  With the shift in immigration and customs enforcement strategies, who is a target? If you are selected for an ICE audit or criminal investigation, will you be prepared? Jessica Johnson Bennett, PHCC’s director of government relations, will help attendees gain insight into the continuing immigration debate as well as learn about the Electronic Employment Verification System (E-Verify).
  
  
• Roundtable Discussion for PHCC Chapter Executives – International 1
  Sponsored by the Association Executives Council
  Join your fellow chapter executives to share knowledge and swap ideas.
  
  
• Going Green: What You Need To Know About This Growing Market For Your Business – International 2&3
  PHCC members Kevin Tindall, Tindall and Ranson, and Steven Schaefer, Schaefer Mechanical will unveil the results of association’s Task Force on Green Construction and Water Conservation. Learn how some of the top green experts suggest addressing the “green” concerns that your customers are asking about. Find out how to tap into this growing opportunity for business through water-efficient installations, LEED certification, GreenPlumbers USA and more.
  
  
• Managing The Ultimate Risk – International 10
  Sponsored by Federated Insurance
  Experts say owners may spend 90,000 hours building up their business, but as little as four hours planning their exit strategy. Dave Anthes, regional marketing manager for Federated Insurance, will discuss how not commit the 10 “deadly sins” of estate and business planning.

3-4:15 p.m.

• PHCC Closing Session: Take Your Best Shot! – International 4&5
  Sponsored by the PHCC Educational Foundation
  A moment can change a life. Author Ken Futch will recount the astonishing true story of how he accidentally shot himself in the head – and how it opened his mind! Hilarious, inspiring and motivating, you will get a (w)hole new perspective on how to turn situations into opportunities.

5-7 p.m.

• Visit The World’s Largest Aquarium at the Georgia Aquarium
  With 8 million gallons of fresh and marine water and more aquatic life than any other aquarium, you are sure to see things you have never seen before at the Georgia Aquarium. Come see the magnificent beluga whales and the very rare whale sharks. Network‘08 attendees are encouraged to take advantage of a special discounted rate to visit this truly unique aquarium.  (Open to all attendees. Pre-registration is required.)

7-9 p.m.

• PHCC Officer Installation and Closing Event – Georgia Aquarium
  Sponsored by Federated Insurance
  Federated Insurance is sponsoring this fabulous event held in the Oceans Ballroom of the Georgia Aquarium. With two large aquatic observation windows, guests find themselves face-to-face with exotic fish and animals from every corner of the globe. Join us in celebrating the installation of our 126th national president, Joe Schmitt, and our national Auxiliary president, Ann Rivers. Following the Installation will be a buffet style dinner and time to visit with your friends.