At three respective winter conferences, the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association's Enhanced Service Groups — Quality Service Contractors (QSC), Union-Affiliated Contractors (UAC) and Construction Contractors' Alliance (CCA)— offered these PHCC member segments opportunities to share best practices with fellow contractors and learn the latest approaches and technologies from expert speakers.
QSC Power Meeting
In February, QSC took its Power Meeting to Anaheim, California, where contractors in the service and repair industry got a mix of education and networking opportunities – as well as exclusive coaching sessions – to help them confront their toughest business challenges, improve operations and grow their profits.
Phil Gwoke of BridgeWorks presented powerful insights on how to communicate across generations —from traditionalists to millennials —each group bringing a unique set of attitudes, values and work styles.
Attendees at the Power Meeting learned how to approach the talent gap, how to retain the generations they need most, and how to convert this form of diversity from an obstacle into an opportunity. During the annual election, Lawrence Snow, Valley Plumbing & Drain Cleaning, Sandy, Utah, was elected chair of the QSC Board of Trustees; he replaces Jeff Kuhn, S & K Pump and Plumbing, Brookfield, Wisconsin.
UAC Unity Meeting
Addressing the hottest topics among signatory contractors, UAC’s Unity Meeting — Feb. 27-Mar. 1 in Las Vegas, Nev. proved the benefit of cultivating strong working relationships among the industry’s labor and business leaders. Attendees tuned into powerful sessions on innovative and integrated technology for planning, design and construction of buildings; the “how’s and why’s” of market share studies; legal tips for UAC contractors; service contracting management and growth; and UA National Agreements. In a special address to the group, UA General President Mark McManus talked of the value of expanding partnerships with signatory contractors, growing apprentice programs and bringing more diversity into the UA. The UAC Trustees continue their terms, with Tom Gent, France Mechanical Corp., Edwardsville, Illinois, as chair. A list of the current board is available here.
CCA Meeting
Members in new construction convened in Park City, Utah, in early March for a packed program on business solutions, a contractor spotlight, commercial and residential breakout sessions, and valuable roundtable discussions where attendees shared challenges and best practices in the new construction arena. Of note, economist Dr. Alan Beaulieu of ITR Economics, delivered an
insightful short- and long-term economic forecast, applying the forecast to how it would directly affect CCA members’ businesses. At the CCA Membership Meeting, Matt Erickson of C.J. Erickson Plumbing Co. was elected chair; he replaces Rob Kreutzer, Tatro Plumbing, Ulysses, Kansas. View the current CCA Board of Trustees here.
“The real-life best practices and lessons learned provided at these events certainly reinforces the benefit of getting involved in these Enhanced Service Groups,” says PHCC National Association President Patrick Wallner. “Face-to-face contact with peers and experts in these specialized segments, as well as market insights – and solutions – to the specific challenges these groups face, goes a long way in extending the value of PHCC for our members.”
Membership in QSC, UAC and CCA is available to PHCC members only; for more information, e-mail [email protected].