• Capacity Crowd Fills National Comfort Institute Performaxx Summit

    Jan. 1, 2007
    More than 100 performance based HVAC contractors attended the National Comfort Teams PerforMaxx Summit in Charleston, SC, February 13-14. Sponsored by

    More than 100 “performance based” HVAC contractors attended the National Comfort Team’s PerforMaxx™ Summit in Charleston, SC, February 13-14.
    Sponsored by National Comfort Institute (NCI), Summit ’07 enjoyed record attendance at this 4th annual conference.
    Top contractors from around the nation met to attend business-building seminars, hear industry-leading speakers, and network with each other.
    this select group was really there to refine their HVAC system diagnostic skills, improve sales and marketing ability, and learn methods to lead their businesses to the next level.
    These contractors are the “cream of the crop” noted NCI CEO Dominick Guarino, who launched the conference and hosted many of the events. “They are here to improve business, technical skills and enhance the services they offer to their customers.”
    Much of the focus of the 2-day event was on the introduction of an HVAC industry first – the award-winning third party heating and cooling system certification program called “ComfortMaxx.” Through a specifically outlined procedure contractors can certify their customer’s home comfort system when it meets certain efficiency requirements. Rob Falke, President of National Comfort Institute explained: “The certification process covers the complete air delivery system, not just the equipment. Achieving this certification designation assures the consumer that their comfort system is among the top 5% in the nation, resulting in true efficiency and performance”
    In addition to the ComfortMaxx track, contractors were able to select from over 12 classes and events on such topics as: improving their Internet presence; selling carbon monoxide and combustion services; fine tuning their skills on diagnostic tools; becoming an energy rater; creating a marketing plan; SafeMaxx CO testing; duct system zoning and more.
    When this hard working group wasn’t in class they were treated to an opening night reception on the Charleston Harbor resort’s terrace and a Charleston Harbor dinner cruise that featured the first National Comfort Team awards ceremony. Many attendees also found time to tour historic Charleston and the USS Yorktown aircraft carrier and museum located right next to the Summit resort.
    NCT members were truly enthusiastic about this year’s Summit.
    “The program really exceeded my expectations,” said Kris Pedrin of Healthier Air Heating, Seattle, Washington. “Attending the Summit was a big investment in time and money, but I feel the new programs and the learning I gained here will reap big rewards for me later in 2007 and beyond.”
    Rich Heuman of Heuman Heating and Air Conditioning in Sparta, Illinois said, “ besides the new programs, I really appreciate that NCI includes great review programs. I have wanted to refine my company’s website and the Internet seminar I sat in on at the Summit gave me just the direction I needed.”
    “The launch of the SafeMaxx™ CO program will allow me to brand my own unique carbon monoxide testing services,” said Tom McCaskill of Coastal Cooling in Myrtle Beach S.C. “I have been using HeatMaxx™ and CoolMaxx™ testing forms for my air diagnostic work and with SafeMaxx it rounds out my diagnostic testing brands. It’s something no one else in my area is offering.” McCaskill continued.
    Other highlights of the programming included a keynote presentation by Ron Rajecki of Contracting Business Magazine, who provided an industry review and outlook for the future, and a roundtable discussion on the ComfortMaxx comfort system certification.
    The Summit concluded with a casual luncheon that featured awards and prizes donated by Summit sponsors TSI, Arzel Zoning, Testo, Field Controls, Equiguard, and Contractors On-Line Access. A final “ComfortMaxx hands-on bonus session” allowed contractors to bring their laptop and go on-line to complete a test ComfortMaxx certification procedure.
    “One of the unforeseen challenges we faced for the NCI Summit was adjusting rooms and seating to accommodate the over capacity crowd of attendees.” said Dominick Guarino. He continued, “We have more than double the attendance of our last conference. I guess our next one is going to require a bigger space.”
    National Comfort Institute, located in Sheffield Lake near Cleveland, Ohio is a national provider of high quality training services, certifications, and other products focused on providing HVAC, plumbing and balancing contractors with the tools to become true “Performance-Based Contractors”.
    For more information about NCI, the PerforMaxx Summit, or other NCI programs, visit www.nationalcomfortinstitute.com.