The Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors - National Association will hold its own convention this year for the first time since 2001. PHCC Connect 2009 will take place Oct. 21-23 in New Orleans and will feature seminars, award luncheons and a member meeting, as well as a Product and Technology Showcase featuring tabletop exhibits from manufacturers and suppliers.

Specific educational topics and speakers are still to be determined and Plumbing & Mechanical will provide a monthly news update on the show from this month until October.

“Our members have asked for a convention that focuses on their needs in these difficult economic times,” said Ike Casey, executive vice president of the PHCC. “We’re going to have programs that specifically address the issues of most interest to the contractors.”

We do know that the Product and Technology Showcase will take place from 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Oct. 22. To offer exhibitors the best way to connect with contractors, there will be no other competing educational seminars held during show hours, although the PHCC will also offer exhibitors the opportunity to host 15-minute product presentations during the trade show. Exhibitors will also be able to hold 45-minute educational sessions after the trade show ends, from 1-3:45 p.m.

Other popular features of past PHCC conventions - such as the Bradford White Breakfast, Plumbing Apprentice Contest and InSinkErator Awards Luncheon - will return.

For more information on this year’s convention, contact the PHCC at 800/533-7694, www.phccweb.org/convention.