August 17 program will explore e-commerce in the plumbing industry.

The Plumbing Manufacturers Institute will hold a landmark Information Technology Forum on August 17 in Rosemont, Ill., to explore the real and potential impact electronic commerce and the Internet are having on the plumbing industry.

The first conference of its kind geared exclusively to plumbing manufacturers and suppliers will consist of a series of one-hour interactive segments throughout the day on the following topics:

• Today's E-Commerce Landscape;
  
• E-Commerce and the Wholesaler Community;
  
• The 'Dot-com' Phenomenon;
  
• Impact of E-Commerce on Manufacturers & the Plumbing Industry;
  
• What Have We Learned? Where Do We Go From Here?

Featured morning speaker is Kevin Price, director of the American Supply Association Center for Advancing Technology, who will discuss ASA's recent e-commerce initiatives.

The afternoon sessions will be highlighted by "The Dot-com Phenomenon," in which representatives from BidBuyBuild.com, TradePower.com, and ImproveNet.com will discuss the recent explosion of dot-com marketplaces and how it is shaping the plumbing and construction industries.

Moderators for the day's events will include Mike Sennett, Bell, Boyd & Lloyd LLC; Joseph Ursitti, online editorial manager for Business News Publishing Co.; and Jim Olsztynski, editorial director of Plumbing & Mechanical magazine.

PMI members can attend the IT Forum for $75 first attendee and $50 for multiple registrants. Nonmembers are invited at a fee of $250 for the first attendee and $200 for multiple attendees. Pre-registration is required. Direct all inquiries to PMI at 847-884-9764.